1: Know Yourself  

2: Know your Craft  

3: Learn  

4: Apply Knowledge  

5: Achieve Balance 

6: Keep your thoughts in good order  

7: Keep your words 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 Goddess and God 

As you can see from the preambles the worship of deities falls last on the list. I would like to approach that first before we go in depth into each article. 

13: Honor the Goddess and God  

The Goddess and God are within us as they are also within all living things on this Earth. In this case by following the first 12 articles you are already honoring the Goddess and God because they are a part of you. The 13th article is more about honoring the spirit or energy of the Goddess and God. This can be better achieved after one has attuned themselves by following the other articles. So though at first the 13 Preambles may seem egotistical in a way they are not once you explore them more fully. These 13 Preambles are nothing new, in fact many religions and cultures have them, though they are less stressed in other religions unless you plan on becoming a Priest or Pastor. They are known to us all on some level or another, and we may even follow these preambles without being a Wiccan. That is ok too; these are 13 good things to live by and can benefit anyone regardless of religious background or inspiration.  

1: Know yourself  

Self knowledge and awareness is something that we all strive to have. How are we going to work with the delicate energies that surround us if we first do not know what is self? This is a difficult one to achieve as there are still so many things out in our world that do not allow us to fully express ourselves as individuals that are aware and filled with love of the self. Once you come to a full understanding of who you are then it becomes easier to accept others for who they are as well. This acceptance becomes one of the first paths to peace. This is not only knowing the self, but accepting the self as well both must be achieved.  

2: Know your Craft  

How many people do you know that are fully aware of their religion? I’m not just talking about what their places of worship teach them, or what their holy book says. I am talking a full understanding from the conception of the religion to the modern day interpretations of it. Chances are that you do not know many. People tend to follow the teachings that they hear but do not look further into their religion as a whole, unless of course they have a degree in Theology that is. This article talks about having the full knowledge of what your religion is about. Wicca, like most religions is much deeper than the surface information that we are all aware of. It has tradition, it has its guiding forces and it has its incarnation. I know a lot of people that claim to be Wiccan or Pagan and yet have never read or studied the origins of the religion. How are you going to gain a deeper understanding and spiritual awareness if you do not know where you came from to start with? Know your Craft is just that, it is attaining the wisdom and knowledge of your religion.  

3: Learn  

What does the word learn mean? The dictionary defines Learn as “To gain knowledge, comprehension, or mastery of through experience or study” Learning is something that we do everyday. Each moment that we are alive we are learning and experiencing things. It is the knowledge that we get from experience and study that allows us to make choices in life as well as live our lives to the best and fullest that we are capable of. Think about what the world would be like if no one ever learned anything? Chances are you wouldn’t be reading this article right now because you didn’t learn to read! When we talk about learning here we are not only talking about the lessons that we have each day, we are also talking about the knowledge of the craft and learning our lessons on a spiritual and karmic level as well. To learn is to know, and to know is to grow.  

4: Apply Knowledge  

Once you have the knowledge from the learning you need to put it into practical application. Wisdom cannot be spread if people were to hide all of the knowledge that they have attained. This isn’t to say that you need to be pushy, but freely share what you know so that you can learn from someone else what they know. This also talks about the application of knowledge of the Rede as well as the Preambles in your life. Apply them fully and you can experience a life you had never thought was possible to explore.  

5: Achieve Balance  

Balance is important in any metaphysical way of thought just as it is in any religion or philosophy. You strive to achieve a balance of body, mind, and spirit through various forms and knowledge. Many of us have moments when we feel like this balance has been achieved, and yet it fades after a while. Remember that we are all human, and therefore a prone to making mistakes and it is ok to do so. There are of course some individuals out there Sai Baba for instance that has fully attained this type of balance, but for most of us it will come and go. The main lesson is to allow it to come and when it leaves learn and apply what you have learned to attain it once again.  

6: Keep your Thought is Good Order  

This article is twofold in nature. First it talks about the power of positive thought. Not allowing negative thought patterns to enter your mind is a large part of keeping thoughts in good order. The more that you focus on positive things the more that you will attract those things, as we know from learning about the power of intention. Second, it talks about thinking before you speak. So many people blurt out what they want to say regardless of if it is going to damage someone else in thought or emotion. Think hard about what you are going to say before it is said. Make a conscious effort to plan your words carefully so that what you say can aid in allowing for the greatest good for the persons that you are speaking to.  

7: Keep your Words in Good Order  

This follows suit to article 6 above. After you have thought about what you are going to say carefully speak those words. Speak in a manner that is soothing and peaceful and try to avoid emotions like anger, hate and frustration in your speech. We can get so caught up in an emotional swirl that we sometimes forget to not express that in our speech. We can certainly tell the person how we are feeling and that sort of discussion is great, that way no one leaves feeling unwanted or insecure with themselves.  

8: Celebrate Life  

Live each and every day to the fullest that you can experience it. See each day as a new lesson to be learned and do not hold grudges or allow things to bring you down. Sometimes focusing on the day to day living can be the most rewarding, then we are not feeling any anxiety about what the future may hold for us and instead can truly experience life.  

9: Attune with the Cycles of the Earth  

For Wiccans this one is done quite often. Every Sabbat that we celebrate aids us in attuning to the cycles of the Earth, but there is more to it than just that. Attuning with the Earth also means to love and care for the planet on which you live. Strive to aid the Earth in life. Living Green, planting trees, aiding nature and its inhabitants all help you to attune yourself with the Earth. If we learn to attune ourselves sand aid in taking care of our planet than Mother Gaia will see to it that we are taken care of as well.  

10: Breathe and Eat Correctly  

Remember that old adage “The Body is a Temple”? As we talked about before with article 13 the Goddess and God inhabit us all, just as they do all creatures. Taking care of the body by incorporating healthy living plays a part in honoring the Goddess and God. This does not mean in any way that you have to live on nuts, twigs and berries! It only means that you are being cautious of what you put into your body. Be aware of what you ingest and how it is going to affect your body and its systems.  

11: Exercise the Body  

This falls into the article above in a stronger fashion. Not only taking care of the body through eating correctly but also through exercise. It is the strength of the body that aids in the strength of the spirit and mind. Doing these can aid as well in achieving the balance from article 5.  

12: Meditate  

We are all aware of the importance of meditation. It helps us to know what is self and what is not self as well as to connect us with our Higher Self and Guides. Meditation is exercise for the mind and spirit. Meditating in addition to the two articles above become the base foundations for achieving the balance in life. Finding the time to relax the mind can aid us in so many ways and becomes an important aspect to living.
These are the 13 Preambles of Wicca. They are guidelines to follow in order to experience life to the fullest and attune oneself with the spiritual world as well as the physical. Work slowly when following the Preambles, don’t rush them or jump ahead, or you will only cheat yourself in the long run. Take each for what it is and learn the lessons that they have to teach you fully.  

Rev. Thomas Moore is High Priest of The Coven of L.I.G.H.T in South West Florida, as well as a professional Psychic and Healer. He teaches a variety of classes in the metaphysical field as well as Wicca and is the Store Manager for Starchild Books in Port Charlotte Florida.  

www.starchildbooks.com

http://inperfectloveinperfecttrust.webs.com  

 
Article Source: NewAgeArticles.com  

Don’t forget, we offer a full range of new age, metaphysical and wiccan supplies for your needs in our witchcraft store, and a full featured website which links to our witchcraft blog, Book of Shadows pages, cyber coven, psychic readings, and more . Thank you for reading, and have a blessed day!  

~Anyanka

Related posts:

1. Understanding the Differences & Similarities between Wicca & Witchcraft

You can visit http://www.thewitchescupboard.com/servlet/the-CANDLES/Categories to find candles in a variety of shapes, colors and purposes!

~Anyanka

P.S. I published this article years ago as an ebay guide. However, it was updated somewhat for this posting.

Related posts:

1. How to Anoint a Candle for Magick!
2. The Reality of Magick – when magick fails
3. Is it Magick or Magic?

Karma is understood in slightly different terms by different religions and cultures. The general idea is that every action we take, both conscious and unconscious, brings about an inevitable, and complimentary, result. The idea is that if you cause ill, you will receive a punishment of some sort. The converse is true for good deeds; do good, be good and good things will come to you. A bit oversimplified? Maybe, but the concept holds true.

Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, Wicca, Confucianism, Islam, Judaism, most, if not all, of the major religions have some form of this law, although they perceive the details differently. A common argument regarding the law of karma is that “bad things happen to good people.” This is where the religions begin to differ in their explanations.

Here are some important questions about karma, although the answer will vary by religious philosophy:

• How is karma enacted? Does a higher entity or deity hand down rewards and punishments, a force of nature, a universal law?
• When do your karmic payments and debts come due? In this life, in another incarnation, or a combination of the two? If it is in another life, or a combination, it does explain how some people of questionable ethics seem to experience windfall after windfall.
• Can good/bad karma be passed to future generations?
• What is the measurement of karma? Are the punishments and rewards equal to the action performed or are they magnified? The Wiccan Rede describes the threefold law. “Mind the threefold law ye should, three times bad and three times good.” So whatever energy you send out, good or bad, comes back to you triple strength.

What do the religions seem to agree on? Karma is unavoidable, with the possible exception of performing atonement.

So how do we apply this to witchcraft? Most witches practice some form of spellcraft. When one sets out to perform a spell they have a desire in mind. If they do not consider all the possible consequences and repercussions of that desire coming to fruition, they may experience a negative karmic return. Even if it is unintentional. Why? Not considering how your desire will affect others is selfish, selfishness is negative, thereby creating negative energy. And if your spell should succeed, fulfilling your desire, but at someone else’s expense? Even more negative energy has been created, all of which you have to pay for eventually.

*Just a side note on this subject. I personally believe, although others may disagree, that if one has made every effort to think of the consequences and missed one or two, that will either produce a lesser karmic whiplash or possibly none at all. If it is truly an honest mistake, I think even universal forces take that into consideration. But maybe that’s just me

A good example of this in action is a love spell. Love spells are tricky, since most love spells are intended to interfere with the free will of another person. So if you plan to attempt a love spells, tread carefully. Stick to spells that strengthen an existing bond, help the two of you communicate better, understand each other better, or for whatever the inevitable result of the relationship is to resolve quickly. Use love spells as nudges, not bulldozers. If you cast a spell to make a married man leave his wife for you, you could be hurting him, his wife, any children he/they may have, the families of both spouses, and ultimately yourself. Remember, no matter how much you may want someone, it isn’t right to roll over every one just to get what you want. And if you have to do that, do you really want it anyway?

So how can we preserve our karma for the benefit of ourselves and others? Christians call it the Golden Rule, NeoPagans call it the Law of Return or Threefold Law. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you, love your neighbor as yourself, harm ye none do what ye will. Give real consideration to your actions/words/spells, and the potential consequences of each. Lend a hand, help a stranger, give someone a kind word when they need it, and always ALWAYS consider the possible consequences of your spells.

*Personal tip: I like to add a line or two to the end of my spells asking that it bring no harm to myself or others. Just my little failsafe

~Anyanka

Related posts:

1. Understanding the Differences & Similarities between Wicca & Witchcraft

• “wicca” A wizard, soothsayer, sorcerer, magician. A male practitioner of magic Pronounced wee-cha (Old English noun)
• “wicce” A witch or sorceress. A female practitioner of magic. Pronounced wee-chay (Old English noun)
• “wicche” A witch or sorceress. (Middle English noun)
• “Wikken“ to use witchcraft or to predict (Low German verb)
• “Wicken” to use witchcraft or to predict (Low German verb)
• “Weik” having to do with magic or religion (Indo-European) This word is possibly the originator of the others.

To summarize what those words meant, and now mean:

Wicca (historical term) – referred to sorcerers, diviners and soothsayers, and was subsequently translated as “witch.”

Wicca (modern term) – an adherent to the modernized religion of Wicca.

Witch (historical term) – a practitioner of magic and or divination.

Witch (modern term) – can refer to both 1. an adherent of modern Wicca or 2. a practitioner of magic or divination by someone of any religion.

Witchcraft (historical term) – the practice of magic or divination.

Witchcraft (modern term) – can refer to both 1. The practice of magic or divination or 2. The practice of (modern) Wicca.

The terms “witch” and “witchcraft” are derived from words historically used to describe any practitioner of magic and or divination. Although these practitioners likely had a religious practice they ascribed to, the terms did not describe adherents to a particular religion. The modern term of “Wicca” is derived from the teachings of Gerald Gardner in the 1950’s. He used the word “Wica” (later changed to “Wicca,” the first evidence of which is in 1969) to refer to adherents of his particular tradition of witchcraft. Although I should note, he did not use the word at all in his first book. The religion that sprung from his teachings was then named Wica/Wicca. His teachings are thought to be based on a combination of an established witchcraft tradition, supplemented by additions by himself, Crowley and the Golden Dawn. But his story, and the debate surrounding his claims, are beyond the scope of this topic.

In summary, the terms “witch” and “wiccan” are not synonymous, nor are the terms “witchcraft” and “Wicca.” There are non-Wiccan witches and there are practitioners of witchcraft that do not practice Wicca. What makes it more confusing is that practitioners of Wicca call their religion the “Craft” or “witchcraft,” so those that have not fully researched the subject may assume that all witches are Wiccan and that witchcraft refers to religion. To further confuse the issue, many notable authors (including Raymond Buckland and Doreen Valiente) took Gardner’s lead in failing to differentiate the practices.

And as if all that was not confusing enough, what happens when someone calls themselves Wiccan, Wicca, or Wicce, using the original meaning (in Old English) of a practitioner of magic, and they are not part of the religion of Wicca?

Don’t get me wrong, I am not saying I am for or against the modern religion of Wicca. I am just saying that when early Wiccans adopted general terms to define their specific practice, they caused infinite confusion. And the only way I personally see the confusion being cleared, is if non-Wiccan (modern term) witches coin a new term for themselves. Not unlike the way the term “magick” was brought back in place of “magic” to differentiate it from illusionary magic. Which seems rather unfair since the general terms to describe a witch predate the modern dual definition by quite a bit, at least according to the evidence. But, such is the continued abuse of the English language.

So the next time someone tells you they are a witch, you may want to clarify by asking what religion (if any) they are.

~Anyanka

P.S. Might I add that this is a very good example of why it is a poor idea to reuse words. Especially when they have meanings that relate to each other in part, but are not synonyms.

Related posts:

1. 13 Preambles of Wicca by H.P. Thomas Moore
2. Is it Magick or Magic?
3. Witchcraft Ethics & the Law of Karma