Witches Are Activists!

Instead of (or as well as) the more passive kind of praying, we like to do spells, which are active prayers. There are many ways to do spells; some can be done with a simple thought or burst of energy. Most, though, require physical doing: gathering herbs and other natural objects, selecting candles of particular colours, going through various actions such as writing words on paper or dressing the candles with oil, and often casting circle or even performing a full ritual.

Witches are doers. We don't sit idly by when we see a situation that needs intervention. We put protection around our homes and vehicles, or over those we care for. We work to bring about desired outcomes. Many of us are actively engaged as healers and/or psychic readers. It hardly needs saying that we care deeply about the natural world.

We also know that magick is what to do when mundane methods have been tried and failed. If someone is seriously ill, first get them to a doctor, then start doing energy healing. If you care about the environment, recycle, stop using chemical cleaners, and so on, as well as enlisting the help of the appropriate deities.

I am a bit late by Australian terms to join in Blog Action Day, when bloggers around the world post about climate change – but luckily it is still Thursday in the northern hemisphere. It just occurred to me that it would be appropriate at this blog to post links to activist organisations whose briefs most definitely include climate change issues.

Blog Action Day is an exciting initiative, where we get to speak out about the big issues that concern us, in the hope of spurring action in other ways, by ordinary people and by world leaders. Talking about an issue is only a starting point. The hope is that if enough of us make enough noise, things will change in concrete, physical, practical ways. (Posting a blog is of course an action, and if it's still October 15th 2009 somewhere in the world when you read this, it's not too late to register and do that.)

Meanwhile, other people are both talking and acting. To continue having a voice and contributing to action, after Blog Action Day has been and gone, here are just a few of the organisations you might consider joining:

Avaaz.org The World in Action Join with people around the world in taking action on pressing global issues.

GreenPeace International

GetUp! Action for Australia

The Wilderness Society  

The Wilderness Society link is for the Australian one; if you Google "Wilderness Society" you'll find links for other countries.

As I said, I am posting these just by way of a starting point. They're the ones I personally subscribe to. Getting involved can have you signing petitions, taking part in public demonstrations, and/or donating to ad campaigns – but only if you choose to. At the very least it lets you know what is going on concerning causes you care about. GetUp and Avaaz in particular espouse other cause besides climate change and environmental issues, but certainly include them.

As for spells and rituals, I'm sure I don't have to instruct any experienced witches and magicians who may happen across this! But if you're new to the ways of magick, here are a couple of simple posibilities:


1) Candle wishing spell 
(my own invention):

Take a new green candle, with your boline or  any sharp pointed knife (but not your athame) inscribe a suitable symbol on its side. This could be the Peace symbol (you know, the circle with the three lines radiating out from the centre, as pictured here) which covers all kinds of peace on earth, or the figure 8 (representing balance) or perhaps a sketch of a tree or the sun, or whatever else is easy to draw and seems to you to symbolise the issue of climate change. Light the candle, and as it burns down think about the upcoming Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in December. Think about the outcomes you would like to have happen, and imagine what the world would be like if they all came to pass. When you're done, put out the candle with a candle snuffer or the blade of your knife, and say out loud: "It is done! It is done! It is done!" You can add any other incantation you may like to use when casting spells, e.g. "According to free will, for the good of all and harm to none, so mote it be!"

[This spell could be adapted for other wishes, changing the colour of the candle and the kind of symbol as appropriate.] 


2) Bay Leaf Wishing Spell
This one came from Pagan Magic:

Wishes that are not possible are usually not worth going after.
It is important to know what you want and go after it.
[In this case, as above, think of exactly what you would like to happen from the Copenhagen Conference.]
The Bay Leaf possesses powerful magical properties and is used for granting wishes.
You will need 3 bay leaves to perform this simple but effective Spell.
When the moon is new, write your wish out on a piece of paper.
Now visualize your wish coming true.
Fold the paper into thirds and place 3 bay leaves inside.
Again, visualize your wish coming true.
Now, fold the paper into thirds once again and hide it away in a dark place.
Keep visualizing your wish coming true as you do this.


[I have more Blog Action Day posts at SnakyPoet, WordsFlow, The Passionate Crone, and Haiku Page of the Passionate Crone.]