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Hands-On Witchcraft Lab

I just mentioned this in the Class suggestions, but I thought it might be better to suggest it here.

Ever since I started becoming aware of witchcraft (by any name), I have been emersed happily in a feel-good, all-by-instinct way of crafting. Which is beautiful, and often brings good results

But I've always had a nagging though- I've heard it repeated a hundred thousand times, if not a million that what works for one may not work for another. And this is a common truth found everywhere in every aspect of life. However. It's also true that there are general standards that are true for everyone. Fresh herbs don't dry in a sealed ziploc for example. There are as many ways to dry herbs as there are people, but anyone can generally agree that if you want to dry herbs hanging them upside down in a dry place out of the sun is a good idea.

Would anyone else like to see hands-on series experimentation done in crafting?

What do I mean by that? -you may ask.

I mean I'd like to see an experiment proposed (...Let's say as an example each month...) to wich an x minimum (and unlimited maximum) number of witches participate in, report their results and discuss together possible connections in the results obtained. To be able to better prepare and advise the next generation, and better equip ourselves through research and experimentation.

I realise that this may seem too harsh, to ceremonialist for some, but I think it should be seen by everyone as a wonderful way to combine and learn from individual experience at speeds which were unimaginable in times past. In Order not to alienate the individual in the experiment I propose that no suggestion be made to the gods to work with. This isn't to convert anyone in anyway!

I secondarily propose: if there is a certain amount of interest this idea, that a group be formed (with a respectable name please) so that proposals experiments and results can be better preserved.

Does anyone have any ideas, interest, comments or suggestions regarding this?

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Permalink Reply by Rev. Liz Hamilton on March 13, 2010 at 11:57am

Sounds like an interesting idea!

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Permalink Reply by Jeri fleming on March 21, 2010 at 5:41pm

Thank you, would you care to be a part, participate and experience? I know I'd love to have you with us! Also because you have Rev. in your title, I'd like to hear, where you might suggest we start, what sort of ceremonies might you recommend?

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Permalink Reply by Rev.Theresa Helton (Moonraven) on March 14, 2010 at 2:44am

It's like working on a spell (example) in a coven situation. In this case it would be a group focused on one spell, perhaps all using their own techniques but still focused on the same end result. Is that right? Or are you saying that all would follow the same step-by-step instructions exactly?
Either way, it sounds like a very interesting idea!

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Permalink Reply by Jeri fleming on March 21, 2010 at 5:39pm

I was thinking more like individuals following the same spell or ceremony with as few varriables as possible, like I've already said, I wouldn't suggest picking someone elses gods more than a suggestion like, Find a god of protection... I would like to hear your opinions on long invocations, with Rev. in your name maybe you have some experience in training new students, do you think that the invocations used should be more scripted and memorised or given certain points to hit and improvised? Thanks for the interest, I hope you'll work with us!

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Permalink Reply by Anavrin on March 15, 2010 at 6:26pm

I think this is a great idea both for beginners and more experienced witches. I'd be interested in participating!

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Permalink Reply by Jeri fleming on March 21, 2010 at 5:36pm

That's excellent, I'd love to get us started. Do you have any ideas you'ld like to throw out here?

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Permalink Reply by Fantumofthewinds on March 16, 2010 at 10:25am

Im game and it would be wonderful experience for most, it helps to teach and giving our results would be wonderful. tell us where and what night and which herbs and with this energy wow who knows good ideal BB

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Permalink Reply by Jeri fleming on March 21, 2010 at 5:35pm

I love the enthusiasm! What Magic Crafting do you usually do? What would you like to do here?

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Permalink Reply by Olive on March 17, 2010 at 7:37am

That sounds very interesting. Its a very good idea and I would be quite interestd in participating!

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Permalink Reply by Jeri fleming on March 21, 2010 at 5:34pm

It would be great to have you! I'm glad to hear you are interested.

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Permalink Reply by Jeri fleming on March 19, 2010 at 6:40pm

I'm really glad to see that there is interest in this idea!
Rev. Helton, I admit I wasn't thinking of group work, please, let me explain better.
I think a group of individuals who work singularly with an agreed upon ceremony or craft, (having as few variables as possible) report about their experiences, sensations and results. This would have the scope of finding trends and ceremonies which are more effective for the majority of people. I don’t expect honestly that the first ceremony will be a perfect success, but I do expect that together with plural minds acting together it will become much easier to define common points which work well. Like aspirin which doesn’t work for everyone, but as far as a pharmaceutical goes it does its part.

Let's talk a little about what we want to do before talking about how we want to do it.
Though I would like to repeat this one point: I wouldn’t touch any one’s personal gods, I would look strictly at Ceremony, tools and proceedure in this lab. This being said...

I have some ideas for ceremonies, but I want to hear opinions, suggestions and feedback from everyone. Being that I’ve never worked in a group, I can’t tell what is easiest or best for who. So my first suggestions are entirely based on what is easiest and most effective for me.

I would start with absolute basics, especially for those of us new to witchcraft, which is to say, Visualization: Procedure and amplification through aroma, music or chanting, which ever method we decide on together. This would mostly be aimed towards self-betterment, more so than actual crafting.

Otherwise, something that really interests me is regarding all the seismic activity going on in these last 2 months. It would be interesting to scry for the next earthquake, which would have very, very easily measured results, however there would be a massive amount of interpretation involved, and perhaps it would be too difficult to pull off.
My third suggestion would be working with poppets in the scope of healing, which is an intermediate level of difficulty with measurable results. This would also be a very hands-on craft which really pushes personal energy into the project, allowing the witch to see a physical and sense an energetic manifestation of the progress of their spell work. I realize that for some poppets, also known as voodoo dolls, are looked at a little uneasily but just creating your own once will make it crystal clear that there is nothing dark about them. It’s purely a concentration of the witch’s energy.

There are thousands of things that are worth testing and trying. What do you all think? Would you be interested in any of these three ideas? Why or why not? If not, what would you suggest?