The Art of Becoming Ann Alder
Walking Alone: I have been a practicing Witch for almost ten years now. For the first seven of those years I walked the path of the solitary practitioner, not through choice, but through necessity. Much of my childhood was spent in obsessive dabbling as I explored every nook and cranny of the world of the occult. What drew me into the world of 'alternative - pagan' religion, mysticism and magic? That is not a simple question to answer. How did I discover the path of the Old Religion? Synchronicity is a powerful ally if you pay attention to the signs. The Goddess of Witches knows Her own! I began my quest in local libraries at the age of thirteen after having witnessed what I at the time instinctively knew to have been a fraudulent attempt at mediumship. I came across a lot of anti-Witchcraft propaganda written by Christian authors in comment on the greatest atrocity this world has even had the misfortune to witness, the Inquisition. How did I know that the accusations leveled at Witchcraft and Witches were not true? Yet another difficult question to answer. In retrospect I was being guided every step of the way. It has often been said that Witches are born, not made, and that if, in your inner-most self you discover a Witch, know that you have always been a Witch. I developed an occasionally expensive but always rewarding habit of allowing myself to be led by blind instinct, especially when entering an occult/esoteric bookstore. After one such occasion, whilst studying a book I had been 'led' to purchase, The Ritual Magic Workbook - Dolores Ashcroft~Nowicci, I came across a reference to the path of the Hearthfire and its strong association/kinship with the Elements of the Wise. On another blind visit I purchased a copy of Raymond Buckland's The Tree, a book of Saxon Witchcraft. Today I have a fairly extensive reference library of my own. Through research and experience, both as a solitary and covenor, one thing has become blatantly apparent to me; this path is not 'quantifiable'. Practicing Witches do not always agree with one another on many things. Solitary Witches know little or nothing of coven practices, and covenors of most 'orthodox' circles are quick to find fault with their less 'educated' solitary brothers and sisters. And then there are those Witches, solitary and covenor, who have always assumed that only they know how the craft should be taught and practiced, and who when faced with meeting other like-minded individuals or groups are egoically enticed into challenging the unknown equation with a show of arrogance or profundity. Some Witches are egocentric and homophobic, others megalomanic and downright nasty. A few are simply insane. Power truly does corrupt, and when seized upon by the psychologically unstable ego, corrupts even more powerfully. Of course not all Witches are corrupt. I have met as many who have matured beyond their frail ego's and who truly live humbly and wisely. In their humility and wisdom I have felt and seen greater power than that flaunted by our en-glamoured brethren. In the following months ahead I wish to share with you my thoughts and experiences on entering the mystical world of the Wise Ones. If you are a practicing Witch or just starting out on this path, and
you would like to contribute to this project by sharing your own thoughts and personal
experiences with others, please get in touch with me. |
