Introduction
Greetings and merry meet to all of you here at Natutal Magick, it is both a blessing and a privilidge to be here. Happy belated Imbolc or Bridgit as its known where im from), and that you all had fruitful and enjoyable celebrations to mark the midway point between the winter and spring equinoxes.
I currently am awaiting membership with my local coven (The Order of the Druidwitch), Karen Hayhoe (my high priestess) was trainned under the famous Laurie Cabot in Salem Masechusets. She is a lovely lady whom I adore deeply, sometimes in life you meet someone and they change you in an instant. Karen is that person.
Background
Iv'e been a spiitual practitioner for over fifteen years now, however my study and the more serious steps into eclectic paths of the occult began about four years ago. In my early years I was raised as a Christian, then in my early adult years spent time as a Kadampa Buddhist. However nothing I have found has given me greater spiritual freedom than the practises and mysteries of the wise.
There are many things I have come to love about this way of life, but most if not all that it is an everchanging, constantly evolving process. We also live in a time where our faith are no longer as oppressed as they used to be, however there is still a long way to go in making Wiccan/Pagan (and other paths of the like) ato take the centre stage among the worlds most popular religions. That said there as once a time where witches were as rare as hens teeth! - (An old saying from a previous moderator I used to know on the site)
What do you prefer to be called? Just call me Bran
How would you describe yourself? Im a little shy sometimes, but I also have a huge ego. Although im pleased my wise mind is aware of it, but im srtill someone with a long way to go, knowledge is one thing. But expeirnce with the knowledge applied using both your intuition and analytical mind is another entirely. And thats what I strive for the most in my path.
Where are you at with your academic/career interests? I currently have a degree in Chemistry, Biology and Forensic Science, but my career path took a completley different turn and I now run two small businesess.
In addition I also run an export/outsourcing site for occult whole salers including Azure Green (SoM's whole sale provider). We are also hoping to help Spells of Magick further its endevours to take things from where they were, to the next level - More on this at the end.
What are some of your personal hobbies offsite? When I have time, its taking long walks out in nature and trying to get lost. Iv'e learned a good set of navigation and survival skills over the years which makes getting lost safe as well as fun! Nature to me is another form of experiencing magick, after all, Nature is the very bedrock of what we all share and believe in.
What brought you to Spells of Magic? I actually came to this site back in 2001 when I was just 11 years old, I had a childhood friend who was a witch although of course we were just children but she showed me this site one day. We didnt have the internet back then, but she did. It was something that only if you could afford it, could you have.
Even then it was all still running on dial up, it could sometimes takle 10 minuites just to connect! But iv'e only used it for information as back then it was just a spellbook. Since joining my local community coven, I wanted to find an online source of similar standing where I could go more frequently. Where my high priestess lives is very out in the sticks, and getting there is not easy.
Do you have any other usernames people may know you by? This is my first account on the site.
Do you have a specific practice, magical interest, religion or path you follow? I would describe myself most accuratly as an Eclectic Pagan, although im quite sure no official term of this kind in use.
I am studying star maps and stone circles at the moment. As well as learning about fake and real grimwiores. An example of this would be;
The Lesser and Greater Keys of Solomon where written by Solomon = Inccorect
The author is not king Solomon, but most likely a person livnig in the middle ages. The sigils usedin these bokoks are r summoning negative ntties. One example tis wasa person who tried to summon what he thought was the Ark Aneal Micheal. What he got instead was a nasty spirit and he unfortunatly was the reciving end of it. I do not know how much of this story is credible, but hat it did say was that it landed him in hospital ith a physical illness.
Never ever trust sources that use complicated looking sigilsunless you know what ty mean, in the same way that one would avoid a colourful african poisinous toad! Only every use sigils if you fully undersnd what it means and how it functions. And should only be done by experienced practirioners.
The Picatrix was writtenby an Islamic man back in th 11th century and covered topics on talismans and the behviour and magickal configurations of the planets = Correct
Thsb book was indeed written by a man i the 11th century, althogh there exssts some debate as to ether it was written in the 10th. That mans name was Ghayt Al-Hakim and this book has nothing at all to do with smmoning anything, but it is a very detailed and in my opnion, athentc book on the the very essence of Magick.
What do you wish to learn? I would love to learn to connect with nature more, about the spirits of the forest and of tree spirits. Im also currently studying star maps and stone circles and hope to be doing a post about that soon. Its seriously interesting stuff!
Why did you join this coven? I felt that this coven best suited where I am in terms of fellowship with other like minded folk, and that natural magick best fits the current coven I am in during my daily life.
Hopes and Aspirations
Ever since learning about the very ancient past, what the origins of our beleifs are and how things have so drastically changed. I am at times disheartened that in certin ways, we are still fairly underground in the world. Id like to see, very much Pagan temples and sacred sites that people like us can use. In practically every city, town and village in the western world has a church in it. People know about them because they are, 'just there'.
If it were the case that such buildings were errected but for Wiccan/Pagan use? The general public of course would be ware of them, no more advertising needed. Of course geting to such a place is not easy, and my goal here is not in anyv way to 'rally up' unrealistic hopes and dreams. But my aim is of course, to share that wish.
Im currently a member of the Uk Pagan Council and World Pagan Federation who in part are both striving more more rrights, recognission and awareness of our faiths. I firmly vbeleive that because so many of younger and younger ages who are getting interested in this path, it will in turn lead to a larger generation where the demand for such things will come to light.
In Closing
Apologies if that was a lot to read, my posts generally tend to be of this nature so it could take a little getting used to. But I am a person of detail and am a little mercurial in my work. I am very much looking foreward to meeting and talking with you guys, and to serve both the coven and this site. I thankyou for taking the time to read my introduction.
Blessings,
Bran x
