Swati Prakash

Top Tarot Healing and Wiccan Expert

Tag: Wiccan Tradition

  • How to Be a Witch and/ or Wiccan

    How to Be a Witch and/ or Wiccan

    A lot of times I have heard people ask – ‘I want to be a witch, can you teach me?’, or ‘I want to be a Wiccan, can you initiate me?’

    So allow me to clarify what being a witch and being a Wiccan really are all about and how to be a witch and/ or Wiccan.

    Witch: The meaning of the word is wise-one. In the ancient times those people who were knowledgable about healing, herbalism, native medicine and those who could guide people with their common problems, through psychic predictions such as clairvoyant visions, or through various herbs and folk magic spells were regarded as witches. They occupied positions of respect. All over the world, whether the west or the east we had plenty of witches. What did they do to ‘become’ witches. Did they take classes, pass tests or get initiated into secret naked covens of 13? Or did they have an innate wisdom that they honoured and honed, learning through nature, through their grandparents and their own intuitive inner self?

    Wiccan: The meaning of the word is someone who believes in the Wiccan Rede which means Harming None while doing as you Will. In doing so Wiccans become people who believe in recognising divinity in everyone and everything, being kind to nature, being tolerant with regard to specific beliefs, sexuality, personal choices as long as you harm none, believing in equality of gender, believing in animal-rights, sacredness of trees and forests, water and earth. All these directly flow from the principle of the Wiccan Rede. Wicca is not one of the religions typified by conversion process to be part of it. It is a natural spirituality, also called paganism or neo-paganism (being a new age revival of the ancient ways). What do you have to do to believe in the Wiccan Rede? Does it take an initiation ceremony to believe in something? Or is it something to be done within you, through your own mind?

    Being a witch and being a Wiccan is all about your inner self, your inner choices and beliefs in your divine power, in the divinity of nature, in the sacredness of life, death and the magick of the universe which is constantly unfolding everywhere. There is magick in each moment – the way we are built, the way each cell and molecule of the world is built, the way planets revolve and rotate, the way seasons change, from the smallest to the largest thing in the world, magick is our infinite reality. To be consciosuly aware of this truth, and to use this knowledge wisely for the benefit of ourself and our world, that’s what being a witch and Wiccan is all about.

    Initiation: This simply means getting accepted in a specific spiritual tradition or system, usually lineaged from a founder to a chain of initiates. A tradition means a body of knowledge that is carried forward even if the teacher is no more. The teachings are passed on from teacher to student and the student then becomes a teacher and passes it to other students and so on. This is true of several systems of ancient spirituality and it was the norm in Wiccan spirituality in the beginning till recent times. In Wicca so far, you would get initiated if you get specific skills and training with the aim of being part of an existing Wiccan tradition. However with the advent of technology, books, internet and multiple ways of disseminating information traditional initiation is no longer mandatory.

    Is Initiation for you? Will the students of the original teacher pass on the right knowledge through the chain or will it become chinese whispers? If the original teachers or founders of those traditions that are lineaged were to be alive today, will they remain stuck at their old teachings and beliefs, or would they have transformed and updated their knowledge and practice from the time when they developed it? Are the initiates as good as the original master, or are they a bunch of egotists who are more interested in showing off their lineage and playing power games?

    Thankfully today through books authored directly by the founders of the tradition it is possible to get accurate knowledge straight from the horses mouth. Yet if the authors are deceased its perhaps better to look for new authors too and be updated with the latest discoveries and inventions in the world. Whenever possible look for living masters who teach you directly instead of learning indirectly through a lineage of initiates. That is my advise and my preference as the Founder of Global Wicca.

    Training: Classes, certifications, courses, degree training, all are surely there for those who wish to gain more specific skills either for personal use or for helping others professionally. But to be a witch and to be Wiccan, both are about an inner awareness, an enlightenment you gain yourself through meditation and inner spiritual work. You can learn to be a better witch through teachers and guides who add to your knowledge, who provide you opportunities to practice and hone your skills.

    There is a vast universe within you and your inner self is the best teacher, the best master. Look for those outer teachers and guides who help you get in touch with the inner self instead of leading you to follow them rigidly.

    Also remain focused once you find the right path without wandering around collecting information, collecting certificates, collecting initiations, collecting degrees – do not be a mindless spiritual consumer. If you were doing that then there was something missing within you.

    Be on the right path and stay on the right path that goes straight within.

    All the best

    (*)

    Swati Prakash

     

     

  • Magick: From Darkness to Light

    Magick: From Darkness to Light

    Ever since I launched Magick – India’s first Magickal and Wiccan store in the heart of Mumbai (Bandra West), I have seen many reactions from all kinds of people. Followers have lined up for remedies, help and solutions. Students have enrolled for a multitude of courses in spells, healing, divination and tarot. Dedicated disciples have recieved initiation into the Global Wicca Tradition. Skeptics and non-believers have started beleiving. Critics have turned to fans.

    There has been an absolute change in the spiritual and metaphysical scenario of the city. More people are rising in consciousness and awakening to their true inner power – the power to heal, help, the power to liberate from suffering, both themselves and others around them.

    Several healers are proudly calling themselves ‘witches’ and ‘Wiccans’. Some are even following in my footsteps.

    At the same time, we must not forget that the world was so far in darkness of ‘tamas’ (kalayuga) and is waking up like a little baby. A newly awakened being is still confused and dazzled by the  light.  One main feature of kalayuga is the presence of dark and manipulative people who are low in morals and ethics. Even in the world of ‘spiritual healing’ you will see some of those around.

    It is necessary to also check the credentials of the healer properly. They should be well acclaimed and knowledgeable. If they claim they are Wiccan, please ask for certifications – check which Tradition they are initiates of, or are they just a follower of a tradition, without having undertaken training…also if they are trained initiates check if their Clergy status is still valid – or were they cast out of the tradition. Remember Wicca is a Tradition based system. Check what sort of a Tradition the person is representing…are they truly doing good work. Just because someone says they are Wiccan – doesn’t mean they really are experts in Wicca. They may have just read a book or a website. They may be still learning. They may have taken initiation from a very vague source. Or they may not even know the true meaning of Wicca. There are ample cases of some teens coming together and practicing some dark arts and going around claiming to be ‘Wiccan’ whereas they do not even follow the Wiccan Rede of Harming None. There is a very well known ‘Wiccan’ author who claims she can bring you any man or woman of your choice – a totally non-Wiccan thing to do as it comes under the category of dark arts (Wiccans never do spells to attract specific person). Media and public were so far ignorant about whom to follow and whom to not.

    The good news is that all this is changing – people are being more careful about what type of spiritual healers they associate with. They no longer follow fake babas or negative black magicians or bad witches.

    I have found that people are careful about quality and ‘energy’ these days. They will seek the best and know how to follow their intuition to choose what is right for them.

    That  is why there is Magick at 16th road Bandra West, near Mini Punjab restaurant.  Tel 022 65250328 timing 1130am to 830pm. In this little store  you will find all you need to have a better life – in the form of stones and crystals, amulets and candles, spellkits, incenses and herbs. You can even get your cards read by experts who are fully trained and qualified by Tarot India Network, and get a spell cast for you by those who have been properly trained in the Global Wicca Tradition – so you know that you are in safe hands.

    Enjoy!

    Blessed Be

    Rev. Swati Prakash

    www.supermagick.com

    MAGICK, 02265250328

    from 1130-830 pm @16th road, Bandra West, Mumbai

  • Wicca – The Modern Global Religion of Magick and Witchcraft

    Wicca – The Modern Global Religion of Magick and Witchcraft

    What is Wicca:

    Wicca is a new wave of Magick spreading all over the world as a modern religion that helps you connect and project your inner powers for the benefit of yourself and the universe.

    Wicca is different from ordinary witchcraft and must not be used as
    another term for any witch.

    Sure Wiccans consider themselves to be at the basic level…witches or
    wizards or magickal people, but there are a lot of witches out there
    who practice some kinds of magick or witchcraft but who do not qualify
    as Wiccans.

    To be a Wiccan is to be part of the religion called Wicca. Wicca is a
    modern religion inspired by ancient nature based beliefs and practices
    that include magick. It has developed in the 21st century itself.

    Read More on Wicca on:
    http://www.globalwicca.com/wicca.htm

    WITCHCRAFT AND WICCA:

    A witch can be any kind of magickal practitioner such as a Reiki witch, a Feng Shui witch, a Candle magic witch, a Shaman witch and so on. Any human with magickal powers is arguably a witch and I must declare that we ALL HAVE magickal powers…its just that not all of USE it. With the rise in global consciousness more and more of us are realizing that we create our reality and this is leading to the popularity of Wicca as a modern religious belief system.

    Wicca is a totally specific religious system.

    History of Wicca:

    Religion is shared or organized spirituality.
    The Wiccan religion began as a group based practice of spirituality
    when Gerald Gardner wrote rituals and initiated witches into what is
    known as Gardenerian Wiccan Tradition. Similarly other traditions came
    up over the world to initiate more individuals into various forms of
    Wicca. Each Wiccan tradition is based on their own unique ways of
    practicing the Wiccan faith.

    About the Burning Times:

    About the notorious practice of witch persecutions and the Burning Times, I do not think Wiccans were burnt at all (the religion of Wicca is
    more modern in timeline while the burning time was medieval. The
    classical period of witchhunts in Europe falls into the Early Modern
    period or about 1480 to 1700 while Wiccan religion is coming up in the 21st century itself). Alleged witches are said to have been burnt
    ….though it may have included random people who were believed by the inquisitors to have used magickal powers were punished. Wicca is popular at a fabulous period of human evolution, where we are all accepting that we have free will and can affect our future with harm to none and for the best interest of all concerned. There is no longer a fear of our own inner
    self. We have begun to love and accept the witch we all are.

    Solitary Wicca?

    You can be a Solitary Witch…but can you be a Solitary Wiccan? There is confusion or doubt about whether you can still be called a
    Wiccan if you are not a member of any tradition. In the absence of awareness or access to a Wiccan tradition that resonates with them, some people do fashion themselves as ‘Solitary Wiccans’ inspired by the writings of authors such as Scott Cunningham and may not be initiates of any tradition though they pick up knowledge from here and there and this
    is what was happening so far in India.

    Being a part of a coherent tradition helps you gain clarity and focus on  as your spiritual path and the Global Wicca Tradition headquartered in Mumbai helps you in this with free membership to anyone who wishes to follow the Wiccan faith as well as official initiations for Qualified Wiccan healers on offer.

    Wiccan Traditions:

    Wiccan Traditions can have one of more temples of Wicca and the Global
    Wicca Tradition has started a few temples such as the Online Temple which is free for public (for Online Rituals), Earth Healing Temple (for rituals held in physical location) and a Children’s Temple of Wicca too has just begun. Members who choose to study and learn Wicca need to pass from one to three degrees of Wicca and can choose to be initiated as a priest or priestess of the Tradition (addressed as Clergy) enabling them to take up Wicca as a career offering ritual services to the public with support and backing of our tradition.

    The Global Wicca Tradition (www.globalwicca.com) is newly launched and is the first of its kind to originate in India. We believe in the scientific basis and practical applications of Magick for the benefit of nature (humans seen as part of nature). Global Wicca incorporates deities, gods, goddesses from all over the Globe from several cultures and religious beliefs into their rituals…. in a Wiccan way, making it suitable for people regardless of religious backgrounds and belief systems. You can study the Global Wicca path online as well as offline – refer to the syllabus given on the website.

    The Correllian Tradition headquartered in USA has its own unique philosophy and is a leading organization growing rapidly. I support them as their Clergy member. More on www.correllian.com. Correllian Wicca can be studied through Witchschool International and I am presently in-charge of all their students and mentors in India and also available as mentor on www.witchschool.com

    Remember if you are a student of Wicca you may want to study under at least one tradition or another else you may not get a clear understanding and may remain a dabbler as most solitary ‘Wiccans’ remain.

    To be initiated into one tradition you may be required to study under their system and being a student of one may not automatically make you eligible to join the rituals, practices and to take up initiation of and into another Wiccan Tradition.

    You will find that each tradition is different in ideas, philosophy, leadership, structure, ritual systems and beliefs and you may be a part of one or more tradition if they so allow. In the case that you are associated with more than one tradition, you will have to switch between two differing practices of Wicca as you go from one tradition’s events to another.

    Most Wiccan traditions do however share some common beliefs and practices.

    Basic Wiccan Beliefs:

    • Belief in magick, i.e. we all create our reality and can choose our future consciously.
    • Belief in the five elements of nature: Earth, Air, Fire, Water, Spirit as the five building blocks of creation aid in magick
    • Belief in Deity being both Gods and Goddesses as well as a universal deity that is all encompassing
    • Belief in Karma, or Law of Three (All energy you send comes back to you multiple times of three till you learn the lesson). The core code of conduct in Wicca is a simple and rational one: “Do as You Will as Long as You Harm None” – referred to as The Wiccan Rede that protects you from doing harm to others and yourself. (Just following the Wiccan Rede does not make you Wiccan as Wicca includes several philosophies and practices that need to be learned)

    Wiccan Practices:
    The practice of Wicca includes Rituals (ceremonic rites) celebrating
    the wheel of nature (Seasonal Sabbats and Esbats), and spells
    incorporated within Wiccan Ritual format for various positive purposes
    such as abundance, healing, removing negativity and so on. Here
    different traditions have their own Ritual and you may follow your
    tradition’s format.

    Wiccan Healing as a Professional Service:

    Wicca is not just a method or technique. It is a religious belief
    system. To be a Wiccan is just like being a Hindu, or Christian and so on…it is a religion. (Media, to whom being a Wiccan comes across as a unique thing, sometimes mentions me as simply as ‘Swati Prakash – a Wiccan’ when truly I am a Wiccan Healer, a leader, an expert)

    As a qualified Wiccan Healer, one can surely use the energy and skills for the benefit of the rest of nature.

    You can ask our tradition’s Clergy members to perform ritual services for you (for individuals and for groups). These can be performed by a single clergy member or a group of clergy for greater energy.

    Some more information of the kinds of healing and services provided by
    our tradition is on the following link:
    http://www.globalwicca.com/services.htm

    More about the Global Wicca Tradition here:
    http://www.globalwicca.com/globalwicca.htm

    How to join:
    http://www.globalwicca.com/joinus.htm

    Bright Blessings on your Path

    (*)

    Swati Prakash

    Excerpt from the speech on 14April 2010 – Wicca Seminar at National College Conference Hall, Bandra West, Mumbai.