A witch is
one who has power over her own life
one who makes her own rules
one who refuses to submit to self-denial
one who reconizes no authority with a
greater esteem than her own, who is
more loyal to self than any abstraction
one who is untamed
one who says "I am a witch" aloud three times
one who transforms energy
one who can be passionate about her
ideals/values as they are changing
one who is explosive, whose intensity is
like volcanoes, flood, wind, fire
one who is disorderly, chaotic
one who is ecstatic
one who alters reality
Lee Lanning and Vernette Hart,
A Witch Speaks
A Morning with Laurie Cabot
by James McTigue, Jr.
Salem, Massachusetts - On the morning of April 23rd, I approached the home of
Laurie Cabot, strangely excited. On one hand, I was very happy to meet the
author of Celebrate the Earth and Love Magic but, on the other (having never
met a Witch other than on Halloween) had no idea what to expect.
I wasn't offered an eyeball, or a wax figurine to stick a pin through. I didn't
run in fear from evil cackling. I saw no boiling cauldron or flying broomstick.
Instead, I was offered a cup of coffee, sat crossed legged on the floor and
asked to "Please hold on a moment," until her nail polish dried.
...Not unlike a visit with Mom.
Laurie Cabot has authored several books on the study of Witchcraft and can now
even be read in classrooms at Wellesley College. She is not only the "Official
Witch of Salem," but a mother, teacher, proprietor and scholar. She travels
extensively in search of new information on behalf of all Witches and willingly
shares her insights on behalf of all people.
This is the first of a three part series dedicated to the understanding of the
Witch's gifts to society, their true nature and the incredible power which
unfolds them.
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"As I have seen the world through Witch's eyes, I have been fortunate enough to
live each moment of my life with the knowledge and deep feeling that the globe
I walk upon feels my step, hears my voice, and answers in return." -- from
Celebrate The Earth.
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A Witch Speaks
Laurie Cabot...
"Witchcraft is a way of life. It's the blood of our ancestors. It comes from the
Earth. It's a nature religion based on the stars and the moon and whatever
nature is doing despite what society is doing.
The word Witch is a Celtic word. It means wise. It was obliterated from acadamia
after the Christian takeover of language relating to religion. Unfortunately,
the same tribal politics that rule the world today...took the word and made it
evil. The same way the number thirteen is considered bad luck. Year after year,
as women and men hid in persecution from oppressors wise turned to wicked.
Patriarchal society didn't want women to have any power at all. They were then
made out to be the meaner or the weaker, meant to forever grope in respect of
men.
However...
In Celtic times if a Queen wanted to go ride with her army - she went! And if
the king wanted to stay home home in the kitchen, he stayed in the kitchen.
There were no sexual boundaries. Everybody did what they wanted. It made
perfect sense and still does. Why bother focusing on things that don't suit
you-things not in your nature?
Society today makes it difficult to think that women and men are equal, but
nature doesn't. In nature all is equal.
I was a warrior in one of my past lives. I can still carry a sword and am also
an excellent shot. Occasionally, I go shooting with the Captain of the Police
Force in Salem. I enjoy these things and am still have my femininity and it
doesn't necessarily mean that I want to be an electrician!
Even today, women all over the world are forced into the slavery of cooking,
ironing and darning mens socks! I mean, how disgusting! They are and should be
running the country, flying planes, healing the sick and creating spectacular
technologies if they so choose. Women are perfectly capable of doing all this
and still able to wash socks and maintain a great sex life! Why would we want
to be stuck in a kitchen at home if the battlefield is our preference?
Every Witch has been struck by Excalibur, the Lady of the Lake's blade. I get
chills every time I say that. The blade belongs to the woman. It is she who
holds the chalice and the blade. She puts them together and stirs the cauldron.
She is Priest and Priestess.
A Witch is not just someone that practices magic! Anyone can perform magic, but
you're only a Witch if your practicing Celtic mythology. You study and dedicate
your life to it and anyone can be a Witch."
The Cabot Tradition
"The Cabot tradition is pre-Gardnerian, Celtic. It's simple. Our circles don't
last two and a half hours. I don't want to have to get a sleeping bag out of
boredom!
Physic ability is vitally important to witchcraft. It was part of the magical
side of things and still is today. To know what extent you can use that
ability is very important. So, the first class is on the science of the brain
and how physic ability works.
Second, students learn the tools: why they work, why they don't work. But, most
importantly, what works for each individual. Everyone is unique and so should
their magic be. Once students understand the these things....I lay down the
law!
1. Do what you will and harm none.
2. Everything you do comes back to you three fold.
Pretty simple. What more do you need? If only people would follow these two
simple laws? They'd live a much happier life...no matter the religious
background.
However, there is a more serious approach, after Witchcraft 1 and 2. If my
students choose to become Priest/Priestess it's as serious a decision as
choosing the Seminary or the mountains of Tibet for twenty years to study.
We study science. We look at the probabilities, the causes, the failures, the
nature of human beings and the possibilities of why we do things and why we
shouldn't.
Although, not all my students go out and teach. Many do their own thing. They
find unique ways of continuing this way of life. They blend their own special
talents with that of the tradition.
Magic is Real! It's not pulling a rabbit out of a hat! It's a religion.
Unfortunately, our religion is probably one of the most propagandized. It's the
same propaganda that turned our laughter into a cackle! In fact, everything
about us has been utterly manipulated so that others could not identify us!"
Laurie Cabot has founded the Cabot Tradition of the Science of Witchcraft and
the Witch's League for Public Awareness. Her unique blend of scientific and
natural law has played a paramount role in the interest of Witchcraft in the
20th century, help making it one of America's fastest growing religions.
A Witch is not evil.
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Ravinessa23 Community Member 
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