covenrochester

An Image of the Horned Father (rather Druidic, I think).

Father of the Fallen,
Father of the Fearless,
Father of the Forged,
May your Children rise in the Light.
So mote it be.

To be trained in the Craft of the Wise is to be trained into a priesthood of the Earth and of humanity. Those who undergo such training, take its oaths, and understand its obligations deserve the title Witch, Wise One. It is a title bestowed on us. We cannot claim it for ourselves, no matter much we wish it were otherwise.

An initiated and trained Witch Priest or Priestess, even if no longer practicing with a coven, will never forget his or her spiritual work, which is to be of service to the Earth and humanity in whatever way his or her circumstances permit. Sometimes that may be only lighting a candle before bed each night and saying a short prayer for the world. It might be healing work, either via herbs or magic. It might be teaching others, and raising them to the priesthood of the Craft. It might be predicting the future for people. It might be planting trees or scattering the seeds of healing plants in a public park (recall our proverb: "The Witch who plants loves others besides herself").

It might be praying for the suffering of others:

". . . Hear my words, Holy Dark Mother,
Be gracious unto me and to those for whom I pray:
The friendless, the defenseless, the meek,
The victims of crime or violence, the unjustly accused, the intranquil,
The lost, the confused, the fearful,
The overburdened, the persecuted,
Those who seek the peaceful release of death,
And all those who seek healing, whether in body, mind, or spirit . . ."

The Craft is a viable and enriching spiritual path for those who want to learn the ancient mysteries and develop the hidden powers, and then use them to serve the Earth and humanity. Do you think at its root and most fundamental that the Craft is about finding and making offerings to some patron deity? Resolving your ancestral traumas? Doing personal shadow-work? The Wheel of the Year? Colored candles, rocks, essential oils?

No.

Mother of the Forgotten,
Mother of the Forsaken,
Mother of the Forlorn,
Tell your Children
That We are here for them.
Blessed be.

*** To all those who serve the Great Mother and the Horned Father.

* Copyright to Coven Rochester