The Law of Power -

1.  The power shall not be used to bring harm, to injure or control others.  But if the need rises, the Power shall be used to protect your life or the lives of others.
 
2.  The Power is used only as dictates.
 
3.  The Power can be used for your own gain, as long as by doing so you harm none.
 
4.  It is unwise to accept money for your use of the Power, for it quickly controls the taker.  Be not as those of other faiths.
 
5.  Use not the Power for prideful gain, for such cheapens the mysteries of Witchcraft and Magic.
 
6. Ever remember that the Power is the sacred gift of the Goddess and God, and should never be misused or abused.
 
7.  And this is the Law of the Power.

     Energy flows where your intention goes, is the basic premise of magic.  What you send out will return to you 3x3, so mote it be.  What goes out comes back.  By being generous you open yourself to accepting generosity into your life.  That doesn't mean you need to suffer with fools glady.

Thirteen Goals of a Witch
 
1. Know Yourself
 
2. Know your Craft
 
3. Learn
 
4. Apply knowledge and wisdom
 
5. Achieve balance
 
6. Keep your words in good order
 
7. Keep your thoughts in good order
 
8. Celebrate life
 
9. Attune with the cycles of the Earth
 
10. Breathe and eat correctly
 
11. Exercise the body
 
12. Meditate
 
13. Honor the feminine and masculine

     "The Principles of Wiccan Belief," which many Witches continue to endorse, and which many Witches continue to endorse, and which were later incorporated into one or more editions of the handbook for chaplains in the U.S. Army.  In adopting the thirteen principles, the Counsil stated:
 
In seeking to be inclusive, we do not wish to open ourselves to the destruction of our group by those on self-serving power trips, or philosophies and practices contradictory to those principles.  In seeking to exclude those whose ways are contradictory to ours, we do not to deny participation with us to any who are sincerely interested in our knowledge and beliefs, regardless of race, color, sex, age, national or cultural origins or sexual preference.
 
Shortly after this landmark action, the Council disband, due in part to continuing differences among traditions.

The Thirteen Principles of Wiccan Belief
 
1.  We practice rites to attune ourselves with the natural rhythm of life forces marked by the phases of the Moon and the seasonal Quarters and Cross Quarters.
 
2.  We recognize that our intelligence gives us a unique responsibility toward our environment.  We seek to live in harmony with Nature, in ecological balance offering fulfilment to life and consciousness within an evolutionary concept.
 
3. We acknowledge a depth of power far greater than that apparent to the average person.  Because it is far greater than ordinary it is sometimes called "supernatural," but we see it as lying within that which is naturally potential to all.
 
4.  We conceive of the Creative Power in the universe as manifesting through polarity-as masculine and feminine-and that this is the same Creative Power lies in all people, and functions through the interaction of the masculine and the feminine.  We value neither above the other, knowing each to be supportive of the other.  We value sex as pleasure, as the symbol and embodiment of life, and as one of the sources of energies used in magickal practice and religious worship.
 
5.  We recognize both outer worlds and inner, or psychological, worlds sometimes known as the Spiritual World, the Collective Unconsciousness, inner Planes, etc.-and we see in the inter-action of those two dimensions that basis for paranormal phenomena and magickal exercises.  We neglect neither dimension for the other, seeing both as necessary for our fulfilment.
 
6.  We do not recognize any authoritarian hierarchy, but do honor those who teach, respect those who share their greater knowledge and wisdom, and acknowledge those who have courageously given of themselves in leadership.
 
7.  We see religion, magick and wisdom in living as being united in the way one views the world and lives within it-a world view  and philosophy of life which we identify as Witchcraft - the Wiccan Way.
 
8.  Calling oneself "Witch" does not make a Witch - but neither does heredity itself, nor the collecting of titles, degrees and initiations.  A Witch seeks to control the forces within her/himself that make life possible in order to live wisely and well without harm to others and in harmony with nature.
 
9.  We believe in the affirmation and fulfilment of life in continuation of evolution and development of consciousness giving meaning to the Universe we know and our personal role within it.
 
10.  Our only animosity towards Christianity, or towards any other religion or philosophy of life, is to the extent that its institutions have claimed to be "the only way" and have sought to deny freedom to others and to surpress other ways to religious practice and belief.
 
11.  As American Witches, we are not threatened by debates on the history of the Craft, the origins of various terms, the legitimacy of various aspects of different traditions.  We are concerned with our present and our future.
 
12.  We
do not accept the concept of absolute evil, nor do we worship any entity known as "Satan" or "the Devil," as define by Christian tradition.  We do not seek power through the suffering of others, nor accept personal benefit can be derived only by denial to another.
 
13.  We believe that we should seek within Nature that which is contributory to our health and well-being.
 
Taken from The Encyclopedia of Witches and Witchcraft, Publisher Facts on File, Inc.copyright 1989
http://factsonfile.com 
  
 

I would like to thank my readers who rushed out to bookstores to read my paranormal book Severed Ties.

http://DamnationBooks.com/book.php?isbn=9781615728206 

Till Death and Beyond - The bond of love can bring two forbidden opposites together.

     Till Death and Beyond opens with a teenage girl named Zoe, inexperienced in witchcraft, in the woods on a Full Moon cast a spell for a love she feels is lost to her.  The teenager new to magic, is careless of her words for her desire.  The spirit of a maiden witch appears.  At first the teenager is afraid of the ghostly figure, and then her curiosity calms her nerves.
 
      The Spirit tells the tale how she and the love of her life were separated by ignorance.  Zoe, the teenage girl experiments with magic to reunite the Spirit with her long lost love.
 

      As a direct result of the long hours I spent reading the history of witchcraft my novella Till Death and Beyond was created.
 
      The main conflict in the short read is the Puritans attempting to keep evil from tarnishing their community and the witches strong belief based on the oneness of self an nature.   Puritans against the witches.  What happened and what it meant.

    Historically the Puritans and witches were two very different groups of people with two very different belief systems.  Puritan America was based on clear roles between men, women, and God.  Witchcraft served as a system of explanations for the ways of nature and a method by which one could gain control over their life. Witches were considered enemies to their God. 
 
     Puritans linked witchcraft with the devil and hell because their first responsibility was to serve one God.  The Biblical regulative principle of worship and commandments was the puritan blueprint toward that duty.  Witchcraft became a crime against the church to rid those who did not dedicate themselves to their faith.  They became known as immoral and wicked people even though their faith exsisted long before the Purtian's belief system did.
 
    I had a very specific idea in mind when I wrote Till Death and Beyond a love story between Emery a Puritan and Frye a witch and the petty rivalry connecting the two faith driven neighbors.  The main conflict between the Puritans and the witches' belief systems is the the theme of the romantic story.  I wanted to tell the important elements that are in the traditions and of the similarities and difference among them.  I hope to say to the reader the story isn't strictly romantic; it will have some history.
 
Check out the first chapter  Till Death and Beyond
at http://AngieSkelhorn.com/book-trailer-till-death--beyond.html
 
 
Read an Author Interviews  at http://BookGoodies.com/?s=Angie+Skelhorn
Join me on Face Book - http://Facebook.com/pages/Author-Angie-Skelhorn-Witchskel/106332176093960
Publisher Link -http://Clublighthousepublishing.com/productpage.asp?bNumb=232

      February 2nd is known as Imbloc.  The day marks the beginning of the Time of
Dawning (Feb.1-April 30).  Daylight hours are gradually lengthening.  The light
from the Sun begins to grow in power until fully born again at Beltane, May 1st.
  
      Imbloc, Feburary 2nd, we welcome the first stirrings of spring, and to say farewell to the cold and welcome the warmth.  The day's focus is to open our mind, soul, heart, and body to the changing season, to connect with the waxing solar year.  The things in life that we all wish for: financial security; a trusting, loving partner; and true peace of mind knowing that you are living the life you were meant to lead. 

      Sometimes we all feel a little lost. We feel that we can move mountains and we use all our energy and enthusiasm to do so. But a few moments later we feel that our efforts will be vain. This is one of the hard facts of life:" Nothing is for granted". You shouldn't let that refrain you from trying to makes things change for the better around you.
  
SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES
 
  On the eve of Imbloc sweep away the negative vibe from each room of your home, then rest the broom at the side of your alter.  Carry a brown colored candle through each room and say a few words to banish negative energy; to attract and encourage good. Imbloc translates as "in milk".  Add a drink of milk in ritual. The day of, outside pay close attention to the snow covered ground for a bird's feather that would foretell what the future would be.

     A talisman is a woman/manmade magical object designed to pomote health, wealth, love, protection or similar objectives.  The purpose of  Talisman is to be carry out certain task - to protect against evil in general and bring success.  We're used to say that Talisman would attract, on  the one who is wearing it, luck, money, and love as honey attracts bees or  magnet attracts iron, and that it would take away, negative waves of bad luck and failure. 
 
      Talisman has always been, as far as I can remember, part of the most precious  things that a family owned. My mother give it to me, herself got it from her  mother who herself got it from hers…

     A talisman: a coin-size disk, square or triangle with certain symbols enraved on it.  The talisman has been specially prepared and is worn for protection or  to bring health, wealth or love.  Objects would be blessed and become powerful talismans and magickal charms. 

     A love talisman must be made on a Friday, on or just before the Full Moon.  It should be made of gold but can be created on copper.  A really old coin that has been worn fairly smooth is a good choice.   A flat stone on you diligently search for is another choice. 
 
      The witches' tool an Awl, or engraver is a small tool, about the size of a pen or pencil and is used in similar fashion to a pen, but it scratches, or engraves the characters into the coin.  But a sharp nail alone will do.
 
      One way to make an awl is find a piece of wood (can be the same as the wood for the wand) and carve it into a shape.  You can carve the awl with symbols that are relevant to you.  Take a small nail 9 -D would do)   You can grind the nail into a point by working it against a rough rock.   Tap the nail firmly into the end of the wood, be careful not to split the wood. 
 
      In magick you are not trying to do things the quick and easy way, you are working at putting your energies into your work.  As you engrave, you must concentrate on your intent.  
  
      On the night of the Full Moon itself, wash the talisman in pure spring water and then hold it in the palm of your left hand.  Breathe on it seven times, then hold it up high towards the Moon so that the light of the Moon shines on it.  Then kiss the talisman and then keep it on your person.

     Love symbols should be engraved on the natural object (coin, stone) during the waxing moon.  As you engrave, concentrate on putting you intent into what you are trying to accomplish.  On the reverse side, engrave names, astrological birth signs or dates to make more personal (your love one and yourself).
 
      Witches have a vast store of knowledge regarding symbols and their uses.  They have passed out the knowledge of where to find them, how to prepare them, or how to use them.  Ancient Grimories have been past down from hand to hand across the length of Europe.  Most of this information can be found in reading magickal texts.  
  
      There are tremendous range of symbols.  Perhaps the most popular is that of the Sun.  Almost as popular is the Moon. The heart symbol was actually to 'give heart' to to the person who wore it.  But hearts can be equally good at producing love.

     Probably the most famous of all "magical" rings was worn by King Solomon who ruled over israel in the thenth century B.C., and whose name is a symbol of great wisdom.  He supposed to have worked miracles with the ring, which was of pure gold set with a precious stone, called in the ancient manuscripts a shamir, and engraved the five-pointed star or pentacle, known as the "shield of Solomon" and the initials of four Hebrew words meaning, "Thou art mighty forever Adonai."   Adonai is the ineffable name of God, that is, so sacred as never to be spoken.

     In ancient Rome, rings engraved with a five-point-srar were among the most popular means of aquiring good luck.
  
       So it is that rings as a symbol of love, friendship, and good luck have come down to us in modern times. 
 
      Hebrews used talismans for all sorts of benefits - success in business, favor both God and people, love by enemies.  They were composed of multitude of magic symbols, letter, and words written on skin or parchment.  They often contained the six pointed star made by placing one triangle on another.  This was known as the "shield of Solomon."  Other used the five-pointed pentacle.
  
      The Pentacle has the amazing power to capture ALL the positive cosmic energy  circulating in our Universe, no matter how faint.   The five-pointed-star, which the ancient believed had the power to trp the forces of evil, rendering them powerless.