A True History of Witchcraft

The following has been excerpted from A True History of Witchcraft by Occultist Allen H. Greenfield [1992].

"The fact is that the instincts of ignorant people invariably find expression in some form of witchcraft. It matters little what the metaphysician or the moralist may inculcate; the animal sticks to his subconscious ideas..." Aleister Crowley - The Confessions

"As attunement to psychic (occult) reality has grown in America, one often misunderstood and secretive branch of it has begun to flourish also -- magical religion..." J. Gordon Melton - Institute for the Study of American Religion, Green Egg, 1975

"Curse them! Curse them! Curse them! With my Hawk's head I peck at the eyes of Jesus as he hangs upon the cross I flap my wings in the face of Mohammed & blind him With my claws I tear out the flesh of the Indian and the Buddhist, Mongol and Din..." Liber Al Vel Legis 3:50 - 53

"If you are on the Path, and see the Buddha walking towards you, kill him." Zen saying, paraphrased slightly.

"Previously I never thought of doubting that there were many witches in the world; now, however, when I examine the public record, I find myself believing that there are hardly any..." Father Friedrich von Spee, S.J., Cautio Criminalis, 1631

Albert Gallatin Mackey: The Symbolism of Freemasonry

Neo-Pagan Sacred Art and Altars

Neo-Pagan Sacred Art and Altars: Making Things Whole

"Fire-cat masks, earth mother icons, henna tattoos, ankhs, and water altars—these objects may sound like the inventory in an ancient druid's sanctuary. But they are part of the sacred reliquary created by contemporary artists and practitioners of Neo-Pagan ritual.

Calling themselves 'witches' and 'pagans' and drawing inspiration from pre-Christian polytheistic worship, the practitioners of Neo-Paganism have often been misunderstood by outsiders. In the uninitiated, their art and iconography have inspired fear.


In featuring the works of ten artists, Sabina Magliocco's Neo-Pagan Sacred Art and Altars unlocks the meanings of this religion's creativity and symbolism and makes its sacred nature understandable to non-specialists.


A stunning array of color plates and halftones will touch the imagination of insiders and outsiders alike, revealing the imaginative skills of some of the movement's most celebrated artists, as well as amateurs working at home with family and friends.


These masks and altars, earrings and necklaces create one of the Neo-Pagan movement's most striking features—its ritual art. Yet this is one of the first books to focus on these spiritual objects rather than on the sociology and psychology of the followers. The odd array of costumes and jewelry, as well as the juxtaposition of neo-primitive and medieval-looking styles, troubles outsiders and contributes to the movement's undeserved reputation for attracting eccentrics. Yet its sacred art is part of one of the most flourishing contemporary traditions in the United States."

Beltane (Beltaine, Lá Bealtaine, et cetera)

Merry Beltane!

Beltane: Its History and Modern Celebration in Wicca in America
by Rowan Moonstone

"The celebration of May 1st, or Beltane as it is known in Wicca Circles, is one of the most important festivals of our religious year. I will attempt here to answer some of the most often asked questions about this holiday. An extensive bibliography follows the article so that the interested reader can do further research..."

Full Essay:
http://www.sacred-texts.com/bos/bos032.htm

*****

Post Scriptum:
Some Celtic / Pagan / Neo-Pagan / Wiccan / Witchcraft / Druid / Alternative Spiritualist circles celebrate Beltane between (and as early as April 30th) May 1st and (or through) May 4th in the Northern Hemisphere, keeping in mind that Beltane is an important Cross-Quarter Sabbat.

Additional Information:
The Witches' Voice (Witchvox)
"Beltane -- Holiday Details and History"http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=usma&c=holidays&id=2765

Em Hetep,
Blessed Be!

Temple of Kemetic Wicca
Priestesses & Priests of Ma'at (MMVII)