Witching Made Simple is a book that aims to demystify the world of witchcraft and make it more accessible to beginners. The author, Theresa Reed, also known as The Tarot Lady, draws on her own experience as a witch and tarot reader to provide a practical and down-to-earth guide for those interested in exploring witchcraft. The main idea of Witching Made Simple is to break down the complicated and often misunderstood aspects of witchcraft into simple and easy-to-understand concepts. Reed emphasizes the importance of focusing on the basics, such as setting intentions, working with herbs and crystals, and connecting with nature. Throughout the book, Reed provides step-by-step instructions for various witchcraft practices, including creating altars, casting spells, and divination techniques. She also includes personal anecdotes and stories from her own practice to illustrate how witchcraft can be integrated into everyday life.
According to fragmentary texts of the Chaldean Oracles, Hecate is connected to a maze which spiraled around like a serpent. This maze was known as the Stropholos of Hecate, or Hecate's Wheel, and refers to the power of knowledge and life. Traditionally, a Hecate-style labyrinth has a Y in the middle, rather than the typical X shape found at the center of most labyrinths. Images of Hecate and her wheel have been found on first-century c.e. curse tablets, although there seems to be some question about whether the wheel shape itself is actually Hecate's domain or that of Aphrodite - there was some occasional overlap of goddesses in the classical world.
Ancient Babylonian texts make reference to this and indicate that even 5,000 years ago, people were trying to protect themselves from the malevolent thoughts of others. The ACLU has long argued that veterans and their families should be free to choose religious symbols on military headstones whether Crosses, Stars of David, Pentacles, or other symbols and that the government should not be permitted to restrict such religious expression in federal cemeteries.
She also includes personal anecdotes and stories from her own practice to illustrate how witchcraft can be integrated into everyday life. Aside from the practical aspects of witchcraft, Reed also emphasizes the importance of ethics and personal responsibility in witchcraft. She encourages readers to approach witchcraft with respect and mindfulness, and to consider the potential consequences of their actions.
Veterans Win Right to Post Religious Symbol on Headstones
WASHINGTON – Following separate lawsuits filed by the American Civil Liberties Union and Americans United for Separation of Church and State, the Department of Veterans Affairs today agreed to allow family members to include a Wiccan symbol on the headstones of deceased veterans.
The ACLU has long argued that veterans and their families should be free to choose religious symbols on military headstones – whether Crosses, Stars of David, Pentacles, or other symbols – and that the government should not be permitted to restrict such religious expression in federal cemeteries.
“We are gratified that the government will finally allow military families to express their religious beliefs and honor their loved ones,” said Daniel Mach, Director of Litigation with the ACLU’s Program on Freedom of Religion and Belief, who represents families and churches in this case. “Veterans who have served their country honorably should not have to worry that their faith will be ignored after death.”
The settlement reached in the Americans United case included and resolved all claims made in the ACLU’s parallel litigation.
The national ACLU and the ACLU of Washington filed their lawsuit on behalf of two churches and three individuals, including the mother of a soldier who was killed in action in Iraq in 2004. The National Cemetery Administration had previously approved 38 emblems of belief for veterans, encompassing a wide variety of religions, as well as symbols for atheists and secular humanists. Yet the agency had refused since the mid-1990s to act on requests by Wiccan families and clergy to approve use of the Pentacle.
Under the terms of today’s settlement, the Department of Veterans Affairs will add the Pentacle to its list of approved emblems of belief, and will provide Pentacle-engraved headstones and markers to the individual families who brought the ACLU and Americans United lawsuits.
“It is deeply unfortunate that grieving families of deceased veterans were forced to undertake a bureaucratic struggle to have their loved ones’ wishes honored,” said ACLU of Washington staff attorney Aaron Caplan, who is co-counsel in this case. “All veterans, regardless of their religion, deserve to have their faith recognized on an equal basis.”
The ACLU brought its lawsuit on behalf of two churches: the Aquarian Tabernacle Church formed in 1979 in Index, Washington, and the Correllian Nativist Church International, formed in 1979 with offices in Albany, New York. The lawsuit also names the following individuals as petitioners:
- Kathleen Egbert of Laurel, MD, daughter of World War II veteran Abraham Kooiman, a decorated Wiccan soldier who was buried in Arlington National Memorial Cemetery in 2003;
- Patricia Darlene Howell Corneilson of Kentucky, mother of James Price, a decorated Wiccan service member who was killed in action while serving in the Army in Iraq in 2004; and
- Scott Stearns of Kent, WA, a retired disabled U.S. Navy veteran who served in the Persian Gulf War and is a member of the Aquarian Tabernacle Church. Stearns plans to have the symbol posted on his headstone.
The ACLU lawsuit, Egbert v. Nicholson, was filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims in Washington, DC. Today’s settlement comes after oral arguments before the court on April 10. During that argument, the Department of Veterans Affairs promised to act on the pending Pentacle applications within 90 days. Immediately after the argument, the court issued an order that repeated the department’s promise to act, and scheduled a second oral argument in July.
There is a theory that the pentacle originated as the symbol of a Greek agricultural and fertility goddess named Kore, also called Ceres. Her sacred fruit was the apple, and when you cut an apple in half crossways, you find a five-pointed star! Some cultures refer to the apple-star as the "Star of Wisdom," and so apples are associated with knowledge.
Overall, Witching Made Simple offers a beginner-friendly introduction to witchcraft, providing readers with the tools and knowledge they need to start their own witchcraft practice. Reed's down-to-earth approach and emphasis on simplicity make the book accessible to those who may be curious about witchcraft but are intimidated by the complexity often associated with it. In bold, the main idea of Witching Made Simple is to demystify witchcraft and provide a practical and accessible guide for beginners..
Reviews for "Ancestral Magick: Honoring Your Ancestors in Your Practice"
1. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I was really excited to read "Witching Made Simple" as I'm a big fan of fantasy and magic. However, I was left disappointed with this book. The plot felt cliche and predictable, and the characters lacked depth. I couldn't connect with any of them and found myself struggling to stay engaged with the story. Overall, I was left wanting more and wouldn't recommend it to fellow fantasy lovers.
2. John - 2/5 stars - I must admit, I was intrigued by the concept of "Witching Made Simple," but I couldn't get past the writing style. It felt choppy and disjointed, making it difficult to follow the narrative. Additionally, the world-building was lacking, leaving me with many unanswered questions about the magic system and the rules of this fictional world. While I appreciate the effort put into this book, it didn't live up to my expectations.
3. Emma - 1/5 stars - Unfortunately, "Witching Made Simple" was a complete miss for me. The story felt rushed, with many plot holes and inconsistencies. The dialogue was forced and the characters felt one-dimensional. I found myself rolling my eyes at certain moments, as the attempts at humor or romance fell flat. I was hoping for a captivating and immersive read, but this book fell short on every level. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a well-crafted fantasy novel.
4. Mike - 2/5 stars - I found "Witching Made Simple" to be a lackluster read. The plot progression was slow, and the twists and turns were predictable and generic. The writing style felt amateurish and did not hold my interest. The characters lacked depth and felt like caricatures instead of fully realized individuals. Overall, I was left wanting more from this book, and it failed to deliver the magical experience I had hoped for.
5. Emily - 1/5 stars - "Witching Made Simple" was a huge letdown for me. The story was unoriginal and felt like a poor imitation of other popular fantasy novels. The pacing was off, and I found myself struggling to finish the book. The dialogue was awkward, and it was hard to connect with any of the characters. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for a captivating and engaging fantasy read.