Letters I Have Received
from Other Pagans
This section is devoted to the letters that I receive through e-mail.
New letters will be posted at the top.

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I live in a very small, midwest town, where narrow mindedness is a way of
life.  I want to thank you for a beautifully done web site, since I obviously need
to be a solitary practitioner (I really fear with good reason anyone here
knowing what I do) Your site is what I believe the craft to be, not full of
"revenge" spells and hexes.  I appreciate being able to "keep in touch" with the craft
without fearing for my safety.  Thank you again so much.
-jo

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I read the questions and answers for pagan and non pagan to help my
witchcraft... oh and sorry for not having my e mail... it is not working properly
and I do not want to do anything bad to your e mail account... So I thought it may
show up on the questions and answers page like I saw someone else do... sorry for
not giving my e mail.

Well I am a Christian Witch... and one person said that witches are possesed... why
would someone say that? I am feeling closer to nature and I feel more relaxed after
becoming a witch... I feel better about myself. I never have told anyone that I was
a witch because of how I saw a lot of people react.
And also for the person who said that witches are possessed by Satan... I don't even
believe in Satan. I just do not understand why some are judgmental or even mean
towards witches... I would never kill or sacrifice anyone. Don't you have a problem
with what some people say towards witches?
There are other people who are fine with witches... so I am not saying everyone is
against them... There could be a majority of people who are fine with witches.
I just wish that some people would not be so mean towards what religion you are... I
think that you have a better chance of getting struck by lightning or getting robbed
than seeing an evil witch(if there are any.)

Well also I have some questions...
1)I heard or read that there are faries... just wondering... is there any way to
keep them away from your house?
2)Is there another way besides casting a circle to keep spirits away and still do my
witchcraft?
3)I get dreams about witch trials... I quit witchcraft for a while but doing that
made the dreams worst... I do not know why they are showing up... I keep getting
nightmares and I had not have any peaceful dreams for a while. I tried drinking hot
tea to calm myself but it is not working.
 

No, witches are not possessed, nor are we possessed by the devil. These are things some Christians may say to further their belief that all other religions are evil and their religion is the only correct belief system. I try to ignore them, but many Christians scare me. The only thing we can do is not fight back. Perhaps our nonviolence will affect them.

1) You could, but I wouldn't want to keep fairies away from my home. They can be helpful if you work with them.

2) You should practice a few years before trying other protective measures during spellcasting.

3) I don't know what to say about your dreams :) They can mean anything.

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i'm 13 and am new to this i'm having trouble getting and athame and other supplies because i used to "self-harm" if you get where i'm coming from.... and no one trusts me with a knife or any thing for that matter.... which leaves me with a stolen butter knife from the kitchen as my only option and i don't think i'm willing to do that... any suggestions?

Most of the tools used in ritual are not necessary. Instead of using an athame, you can use a wand or just your index finger. Make sure you do not use a butter knife. An athame cannot be used if it has ever been used to cut anything, including butter.

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Hello,
Your site sure is complete and well organized.  Congratulations on a job well done!

Now, there is one thing that I must mention, however. One of your answers to a Non-Wiccan reader was shall we say "off." You said something to the effect that Christianity is a beautiful and diverse religion all over the world, and Buddhism and Hinduism for example are in one place, and there is only one kind, i.e., Buddhist, Hindu. I almost fell off my broomstick! This is totally and completely untrue. Hinduism has the largest number of Gods and Goddesses in the world. They also use their pantheon and personal beliefs to weave a spell much like Wiccans. Also, Buddhism is full of various schools, thought, practices and philosophies!

To be a spokesperson giving advice and information, one really and truly must educate themselves first of all on those issues. I really and truly think that the first class for ANYONE studying Wicca should be a comparative religion class or a world religion class. In this manner we would have factual information for comparison and conversation, and not fall back on that all so common human characteristic of "assuming" what we once heard or read somewhere or simply feel to be true is gospel.... IT AIN'T!!!

Other than that very poor answer, the rest of the site is fantastic. The letters from Non-Wiccans were interesting to say the least. It certainly does prove how much ignorance exists out there. This also applies to many people who claim to be "Witches" and "Wiccans" themselves.

The internet has been a "blessing" and a modern day horror at the same time. Our religion has spread and become recognized at a record pace. This is fantastic - I think? However, with that comes soooo much information that not only is used for good but is confused and regurgitated, and used for manipulation, to impress, and of course to earn a buck.

Buddhist thought and philosophy as well as Hindu beliefs are a GREAT backbone and base, in my opinion, for ANYONE studying Wicca and really and truly would make the world a better place if EVERYONE applied Buddhist principles whether

 they are Buddhist or not. Personally, I believe Wicca at times is kind of fluffy on deep issues such as death, the afterlife, etc., and strong on spells and the like that only encourage young people to think, as well as adults, that there is no substance and only fluffy bunny the vampire slayer.... All I can say is what a shame!!!  As you know, it is certainly much much deeper than all of that. It is also much more work than most Christians are capable of putting into their own spiritual practice other than sitting on their heiny in a pew on Sunday.

Anyway, I am done ranting.... and I look forward to spending more time on your site! Even if we do not get everyone to study in-depth concerning world religions, couldn't we at least have a section outlining core beliefs and differences. I am TOTALLY AMAZED at how much more I know about Christianity than MANY MANY Christians. They do not even know the difference between Catholics and protestants. Protestants do not even know what that word means. Many of them tell me straight out that they do not believe this or that concerning the bible, abortion should be a choice, being gay is okay, yet they swear they are catholic for example. They are no more catholic than I am. They are "comfortable" not catholic! They were raised that way or dragged to the church, and just like smoking, drinking, or any other bad habit - it is hard to break and see your options and who/what you REALLY are! That takes work, and maybe admitting wrongs, and an investment of your time. Who wants to do that when there are bills to pay, kids to raise, MTV, the 700 club, 72 channels on cable TV, and a soccer match to attend?

Brightest Blessings,
Red-Headed Irish Hedgewitch
Michael
 

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I have made the transfer from christian to witch a couple months ago but I want to know a bit more about the beliefs before I become a practicing witch. Just a couple questions:
1)I know there is the god and the goddess, but how exactly do deities work? are they like, hmm...how do I say it...like a *strand* of the goddess? (I know that makes absolutely no sense, but like The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit make up ONE god, so what I am asking is, is that the same with deities?) Sorry if this letter is so confusing, but I've been wondering.
-Katie

That's exactly right! ;)  "All gods are one god." Pagans believe that there is one "Great Spirit" and all other spirits are smaller manifestations of this one larger spirit that encompasses everything.

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dear amber,
first off i love your site its wonderful, and the second is i need to ask u what u think i know what i think, but i want your opinion too. i was doing medatition right, and when i got done ( u know those orbs that u sometimes find in pictures? well after medatition i could see orbs, colorfull orbs like an aura kind of and i think their fairys, but the strange thing was i could see them with my eyes, it kind of looked like night vision? what do u think they might be?
bright blessings,
-morning glory

An orb is simply the easiest way for spirit energy to travel. It is definitely possible that they are fairies. They could also just as easily be any type of spirit as they all look the same when traveling in orb form. Many types of spirits are attracted by magical workings because of the spiritual energy it releases.

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hi im a teen witch and would like to ask you a question. Well im trying to do scrying {lesson11}and what i did was i painted a picture frame glass black so it reflectes my image. I have tried this so many times and nothing seems to work, nothing of any sort developes in my mind and i was wondering if you could give me some tips.
-Kara

Dear Kara,
There are several things that you can try.

1) You may not be relaxing enough. Try relaxing during a long period of meditation before you perform scrying. Make sure there is nothing around to distract you. Try and find what relaxes you most. For many people it is a hot scented bath in a dark room with candles. For me, it is being out in nature. Try different things to see what helps you relax most.
2) Your abilities will be most heightened during the full moon. Try practicing scrying on the full moon or a few days beforehand. See how this works.
3) Many female witches claim that their powers are heightened when they are menstruating. Try this and see how it works for you.
4) Magical scents can help. Try burning sage incense or lavender oil in a diffuser.
5) Do not forget to consecrate your mirror. Consecration creates a tool that is used purely for magical purposes.
6) Mirrors may not be your tool of choice. Try scrying in a polished black stone or a black bowl filled with water.
7) Always be sure you are scrying in a darkened room. If you are using candles, be sure that you cannot see the reflection of the candles in the mirror. Try to position your bowl or mirror so that all you see is blackness with no reflections.

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Dear Miss SkyFire,
Thank you for your wonderful website! It is pretty much the only one I visit. You might remember me...my name is Lila, and I wrote to you. I have been studying witch-craft, and I believe my self to be a Christian witch. It is quite a beautiful religion and I am becoming more happy with myself and the world. I don't know what I would do without your website, it has been a great help!
Blessed Be,
Lila

 ________________

Thanks so much for the input!
Actually, I do have an area with totem animals and their significance. You can find it under the Correspondences section. I have also just received a new book about totem animal magick. I'm currently reviewing it and the new book review should be up sometime next month. You might want to check it out. It is a pretty interesting book entitled "Totem Magic - Dance of the Shape-Shifter" by Yasmine Galenorn. You might recognize her name from the book "Embracing the Moon."

As for "chaos physics," I haven't heard anything about it. It may not be part of Wicca. Note, I am not Wiccan myself, but I do teach it. It sounds like it might be something from the Golden Dawn. You may wish to look up their beliefs, as they are generally quite different from Wicca. They might be able to help you.

If you are in the Army, then this link should be helpful:
http://www.religioustolerance.org/wic_usbk.htm

I'm not sure what they say about Wicca in other areas of the military, but I imagine they all use the same handbook or at least the same infor for religions. I had a link up for it, but it seems to be out of date, so I'll fix that on the website for you.

I hope all this helps!
Brightest blessings,
-Amber

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My name is Erin, and I'll be going to high school in fall 2005. I'm hoping to find some fellow Wiccans in my area. I want to plan it out now :)What would be the best way to let other Wiccans know I am a witch without letting the rest of the school figure it out? A pentacle is out of the question as most of the community is Christian and believes that is the'sign of the devil'.Any help would really be appreciated. Thanks!
-Erin

A good question! There are several symbols commonly used by Wiccans and Pagans that are not easily identified by Christians. Some of them look downright harmless! Here are some links to some symbols you can use on jewelry:
Greenman: http://witch-crafted.com/images/393.jpg
Triple goddess: http://www.azuregreen.biz/images/JNTM.JPG
Goddess: http://www.azuregreen.biz/images/JGMAM.JPG
Triskeles: http://www.azuregreen.biz/images/JETAME.JPG
http://www.azuregreen.biz/images/JN2074.JPG
Pleiadean Star: http://www.azuregreen.biz/images/J921.JPG
Cernunnos: http://www.azuregreen.biz/images/JCER.JPG
Here's a Pretty Pentacle: http://www.azuregreen.biz/images/Jcp.jpg
Triple Moon: http://www.azuregreen.biz/images/Jctrm.jpg

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Is there such thing as a vampire? And we need the truth. I have a book of creatures but there's also a book that talks about real life vampires. Please answer if even your away from  your computer. If there is such thing as them, where are they mostly at. If you know. Thank you Amber for all of your help.

There ARE such things as vampires, but they ARE NOT like what you see on TV or read about in books. There are two types of vampires. One type is called a "psychic vampire." Psychic vampires leech energy off of other people, usually without even knowing it. They do not suck blood. After being around one, you will feel weary or tired. These are pretty rare, so you may or may not have encountered one in your lifetime. They are just normal people. You might even be one yourself. They are not undead or monsters, they just tend to suck energy out of others simply by being around them. The other type of vampire is so rare that you will never encounter one or meet anyone who has encountered one in your lifetime. These vampires are spirits of the dead which have not passed through the second stage of death. These spirits need to feed off of the energy of the living in order to survive. They do not suck blood, but they do steal life essence in order to keep their life essence going. This can be quite deadly to a living person. Only corpses which have been buried without embalming have the ability to become vampires. These types of vampires cannot cross running water, cannot pass through iron, and are repelled by garlic. Crosses and holy water do not work. A vampire can be destroyed by destroying its corpse. This will destroy it's spirit essence and allow the spirit to pass on into the next world. There are no vampires in civilized society, however as the methods used for corpse disposal prevent vampires from occurring anymore. The embalming process destroys the life essence and iron vaults, which are used to hold the casket prevent spirits from leaving the corpse even if it were able. You do not need to worry about these creatures. There is no such thing as a walking undead which travels nightly to suck blood.
If you would like to read more about real monsters, I advise you to read Monsters by John Michael Greer.

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Here's a great letter that was sent to me a few weeks ago. Thanks Mike!!! Enjoy.

Hi!!
At approx 11:30PM April 14th, I was visited by a little mushroom man who told me that all witchcraft was a joke!!
I called my doctor right away to make sure this wasn't the result of my medication and he assured me that the mushroom man was real, so I felt the need to write you all and warn you that you are heading in the path of stupidity!!
The Mushroom man, or Falas as I like to call him, said that all witchcraft believers are insane and/or have mental illnesses!!
He said you should get your head out of your [butt] and warn all pagans and wiccans that they suck, although I was already aware of this!!
In closing, I would ask that you please give me some info on your religion in witchcraft as so I can see what Falas thinks is wrong with it!!
I don't know much about witchcraft, but I can only trust the mushroom man since I know nothing of how witchcraft is done!!
So please email me back when you have the time between casting spells and buying broomsticks!!
I don't have many friends, so any email I get will make my day any bring a goofy smile to my face!!
Thanks!!
-Mike

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Hello.
I just wanted to say thank you for your website. I've recently become interested in Wiccan things, which wasn't easy because my whole family's past has been deeply rooted in Christian beliefs. I've always been the oddball of my family, the "black sheep", if you will. After reading some of the things on your site, it made me feel a lot better on my choices. I've been a vegan and a nature lover for a while, but I'd never really had any spiritual beliefs until now. Wiccan beliefs seem to fit me like a glove.  Anyway, I didn't mean to tell you my life story. ^_^ I just wanted to say thanks, sooo, thanks again. =)
-Dave

Thanks, Dave! :)

Hello, Igor!

Well, to answer your first question: So far, not one person has been able to light a candle telekinetically. A few people have claimed that they can do so, but they cannot prove it either with eyewitnesses or with video evidence, so it has been determined that these people are only trying to get attention. While I am sure it might be possible, it has not yet been done, so anyone reading my site should not expect to learn how to do so. We do know, however, that we ARE able to change weather. Granted, it takes a gread deal of power, but we do know this is possible, though we may not know exactly the reason why. It probably has something to do with the fact that magic is not instantaneous. It takes a little time to happen. Fire requires an instant energy that we, as humans, do not posess. We can move fire from left to right because it does not take high levels of instant energy. It may also be because we, as humans do not posess the energy capable of producing fire. You cannot get fire from a piece of cheese, so why would a human be capable of this?

2. Yes, I definitely believe that we are all telepathic to some extent and we are all connected on a higher lever. This is evident in many situations, especially when two people are very close. Ask any parent and you will find that they have always had a *feeling* when something bad was happening to their child. I definitely believe in the ability to see the future. I have even found that most women seem to have the ability to dream the future. I have not met any men with this ability and I am not sure why this is. Often, women will have a dream that actually happens.

3. I also have some trouble with seeing auras. I do not practice it as much as I should. A good way to practice is study different people's hands on a black or white backdrop. Sometimes, you will see a color because the negative is burned onto your retina: like when you look at a white spot and then look at the wall and you see the spot on the wall, but it's black. To prevent this from happening, keep the object you are looking at steady and try not to move. At first you may see one color, but it should gradually fade into the regular aura color. Sometimes the aura will appear to move a little. Don't look at the color closest to your hand. Move out just a little and look at the outermost color.

4. It is often easy for people to make guesses and be right when they are not in a testing area. This has to do a lot with relaxation. When you are tense for something, your judgement is impaired. Everyone is different in this aspect, so just practicing testing yourself a lot might help to loosen you up a bit for other situations.

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Hi. I am a teen witch and I don't know whether it is because I have started to practice magic or not, but there is some kind of energy in my house-I
sometimes see things and hear knocks and weird noises. It has just started, but it only happens to me so my mum dosen't believe me. I feel like I'm being watched all the time, though there is no one there-what should I do?
-DarkStar

Many people find that after they attune themselves to practicing magic and feeling energies, they start noticing different energies around them. Often, these energies were there to begin with, they just did not notice them. Other times, spirits can be drawn to you because you give off energy while practicing spellwork. These energies can be good, but are very often evil. Always remember to cast a protective circle around yourself whenever you practice any type of magic. Also remember to stay away from Ouija boards, since they offer evil spirits the chance to take control of your body. It may look neat in the movies, but the reality of Ouija boards is not so fun and you will find that you will not be able to get a malevolent spirit out of your house once it has decided to target you.

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I just started working at a newspaper about a month ago. And i have become friends with some people including my supervisor who is also Pagan (Celtic). There are 3 other people who know that me and my girlfriend are pagan and gay. We have gotten along with everyone there and we both love working there until this last weekend. My girlfriend and i were on our way to the brake room when this girl stopped us that we dont even know and said that a friend of hers told her that we put a spell on her for something to happen to her on the 22 of this month. We both looked at her in shock and we told her we dont do that to people that it wasnt true. and she told us that she belived her friend over us because she didnt know us. it hurt me alot that people lied about me and my girlfriend just because we are pagan. It made me think of what the accused witches in Salem felt when they were called witches and really wernt. i just dont know what to do at work now cause she is being really mean to me and my girlfriend and we havent done anything to her please help us and tell us what we should do. thank you
-leo sacred flame

Well, the only thing you really can do is just let it go. Being a member of any religion, especially if it is in minority, will instill hatred in someone. Just remember that there are others there who back you. You shouldn't let this girl get to you. She isn't one of your friends, so her opinion really should not matter. Most importantly, you should make sure to steer clear of her "friend." If this person lied to her friend, she certainly wouldn't treat you any better, especially since you were the ones she lied about.

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I would like to bring my rosemary and basil into the house for the winter.  I have tried this in the past and the plants died.  Do you have any suggestions?
Thanks for any help you can give.
-BB.

If a plant is not tropical, you usually should not bring it inside. Most plants need to go through seasonal changes in order to grow properly. Make sure you plant and harvest at the appropriate times. They should go through their winter phase so that they can grow strong again in the spring. If you don't want them to freeze completely, try harvesting nearly the entire plant by cutting it down and leaving about one to two inches of leaves left on each plant. Let them do their thing and turn brown. Then, when the first freeze hits, cover them with plastic and bring them into a garage or shed where they will stay very cold but not freeze. Then when the last freeze has past, take them back out into the yard and either let them regrow or replant them. They should do fine if they have been allowed to go to seed by themselves.

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Dear Amber,
I have this friend who seems to be mimicking everything I do (that's mostly from a religious stand point).  She actually became Wiccan with out even studying it, all because I slipped up when I was talking.  From then on she's followed every religious move I've made!  That is pretty annoying and I find it insulting since it breaks all my religious codes.  Now she's changed her magical name so that it's waaay similar to mine.  She's claiming that she has the same spirit animal as me and she knows how I'm feeling!  We are two totally different people and she does not know how I, Wolfclaw Dragonwatcher, feels!  I feel like she's encroaching on my territory  and I am ready to defend it!  Maybe I'm second guessing but either way I'm pretty annoyed.  This friend has a VERY quick temper and I don't want to have any bad vibes going between us (she isn't all that responsible with her use of magick!) so I'm a little nervous about talking to her.  I feel really insulted and I know I have to do SOMETHING about it, but should I talk to her?  Please
help!
Sincerely,
wolfclaw Dragonwatcher (otherwise known as evil [or angry] elf)

Don't feel angry. She isn't doing it because she hates you. On the contrary, she does it because she looks up to you. I mean, the poor girl practically worships you!
She wants to try this new thing out that you are doing, but she's nervous. She doesn't really know how to do it on her own and she looks to you as a guide, following you and doing what you do because she wants to be like you. Give it a little time. She will find her own way and won't seek to lean on you anymore. In the meantime, let her know of (or borrow) some really good books so she can get the gist of the whole thing on her own. If she keeps irritating you you can try to tell her, politely, that you feel uncomfortable with what she is doing. Don't hurt her feelings, just let her know that she needs to follow her own path.

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Thank you very much! I'm certainly trying my best :)

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Let me first start by saying that I have not been a practicing witch for very long, the span of a year at most.  Despite this, I have a great love for my newfound religion, and am reading everything I can find on the subject.  Thank you very much for your wonderful site.  It has helped me learn much more than I thought I ever would.
Not all witches believe as we should, however.  I speak from experience on this.  I was dating a witch in highschool who came from a family of witches.  Her father, mother, and several of their friends (I'm assuming that this was their coven) ritualistically molested her on a regular basis from age 5 up until she was placed in a foster home for her protection at age 17.  These things do happen, and that kind of publicity is what all the hatred towards us feeds upon.  I had been interested in witchcraft and wicca for some time, but refused to practice it after I discovered what this family was putting her through. 
Fortunately, I realized that this was not par for the course, and renewed my studies.  No religion is safe from this.  Look at the Catholic's problem with priests and alterboys.  It just pains me to think that not all of the words of hatred I hear are unfounded.

So true. I'm glad someone finally came out and said it :)

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o.k. well I need a little bit of help...I have done spells before and some of them have worked and some of them haven't. I found this spell to stop slander and I did it last night. How can I make sure that it works. Would it be ok to repeat the spell? Is there anything I can do to make the spells better. I don't drive so its not easy for me to get things to do these spells. So i pretty much have to use my own resources, but the one i did only involved fire, paper, and a pen. Please any advice would help I really need this to work.
-Cat

Well, you should never do the same spell more than once each month (moon cycle). All spells work, but some work better than others. Generally, if the spell makes you feel "magickal" or empowered, it has worked rather well. If you get the feeling, after performing it, that nothing has happened, then you might try writing the spell a little differently.

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Just wanted you to know that you have very well written pages. Everything in them anyone can use and understand without a problem. Thank you very much for all you hard work.
Brightest Blessings
Tammie

Thank you so much, Tammie. It isn't often I get such polite reviews.

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I was wondering if you have ever come across this problem before.  Before I came to college I was a very accomplished witch.( at least i thought so)  However ever sinse I came I have been encountering this athiestic and certainly anti magical mentaity.(especially being a sociology major) It is making me horribly depressed and I cant seem to shake it. My spells haven't been working well and i keep doubting everything. I feel like I am becoming an intelectual snob. I miss me. I miss my creative and joyful spirit. I am not sure what to do about it and I feel totally powerless. I was wondering if you went through a similar situation and/or  have any advice? Thank you for taking the time to read this email.  Love the site by the way.
-Jason

Yes, as a matter of fact, I did go through something like this. It was horribly depressing and I wasn't sure what to do. Then, one day, I found myself purchasing a necklace with my totem animal on it. It seemed so important to me and I realized that if I still believed in that one thing enough for it to be special to me, then there was still hope. I still loved nature with all of my heart and I just made sure to take time out every now and then to immerse myself in it. Just go back to nature every now and then. It really helps.

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hi! may i ask you why my spells seem to backfire always? any idea why?
thank you Blessed Be
-Aesir

The reason a spell backfires is usually because it is cast against another person or because it is being done for selfish reasons.
Try doing spells for others only when they ask and, if you are doing a spell for yourself, try not to be greedy. For example, don't ask to be rich, just ask to have enough money for the things you NEED. ie: Need is not the same as want.
You might also try writing your own spells. This attunes the spell to your own energies and they usually work better.

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im not asking for much but im just having trouble with a lot of things. Im suicidal at 13 years old and people make fun of me at school because i have acne.All of the things i have to go through everyday just make me more and more depressed.
-sarah

Yes, I know how you feel. You may not know it, but almost everyone goes through this during their teenage years. Society is pressuring us to be something we are not all the time and it makes us feel stretched out to have to do all of it at once. Mostly, it is hormones. Hormonal changes in your body during the teenage years will make you feel really depressed and left out all the time. I had very few friends and very bad acne as well, not to mention thick plastic glasses and braces. I was also suicidal, but for different reasons.
Here is one thing that may help with the acne. The only thing that ever worked for me was Clearasil. I still get extremely bad acne even now at age 23 and it is the only thing I will use. I rub it everywhere that I have acne each night when I go to bed. Then, in the morning, I rub it on each individual pimple. Do this every day and it should go away after about a week. Just remember to keep doing it every night, or it will come back. If you want, you can also try seeing a doctor. My father took me to one. She prescribed a medicine called Retin-A. This medicine is rubbed on the skin each night. At first, the skin will get shiny and sort of tight looking. Then it will peel off. The skin underneath will be perfect, with no pimples and no scars, just pure, soft, and white. The only bad thing about it is you can't use it if you go out in the sun a lot and you have to use it for a long time.
Suicidal thoughts are usually normal during the teen years, but if you think it is a really big problem or you really do want to kill yourself, you should tell your parents. Most kids don't want to because they feel like their parents will be angry or they just are not that close to their parents. The truth is, your parents love you, no matter what. They will not think you are bad because you are hurting or you have bad feelings. They want to help you because you are their whole world. They will be a little shocked at first, but just remember that they would do anything to help you. If you feel like going to a doctor they can take you. There are many different medicines that make you feel better, so you will not be sad anymore. The sadness will go away as you grow up. It is something we all deal with.
I was fifteen when I tried to kill myself. Luckily, I found out what was important to me. I realized that life is what we make it. It is not a trap. If you want something, go get it. You should never worry about what others think, just what you think. Fitting in is not important, even though kids at school will say that it is. You can't know what will happen if you die, but it will not be better than where you are now. Life and death are a circle that must remain balanced. If you make a mistake, you have live it all over again until you get it right, so it is best to make the right choices now instead of going through all that pain again. Am I making sense?
Basically, we are all different. That is what makes things so wonderful. Look at the reasons why you feel like killing yourself and decide what is wrong with those reasons. Is it because of a boyfriend? Anyone who makes you feel like that isn't worth worrying about. Is it your looks? Everyone changes. Stop trying to look like someone else and bring out the best in you and what looks best on you, not on someone else. Know that you are beautiful.
I found out how beautiful I was. I had been so ugly when I was young. I did not have any friends. The answer was quite plain. I started being myself. I stopped wearing things other people wore and stopped doing my hair like the girls in magazines. I started to change and to sort of grow up. I made myself beautiful just by thinking I was beautiful. That is what you need to do. Don't worry about what others say. They will just try to be mean.
You should also take heart from knowing that all those girls that were pretty in school that I was so jealous of all grew up to be strippers. All the plain girls who were smart and intelligent grew up to be doctors and good mothers, dancers, singers, and beautiful, smart women. Looks are not something you want to go for, especially not to attract guys. The poser guys will go after the fake girls while the real guys, the good guys, will go after those who know themselves and are smart, funny, and loving. That is where true love lies.
Much love and light,
Amber

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Hello, I just read your "Misconceptions" page, and I was disappointed to not find something that I have recently run across and do not know how to deal with. An online friend of mine recently found out that I was Wiccan and practice Witchcraft. She seemed apalled, and when I asked her if she had anything against me for being Wiccan, she said no. But then she proceeded to tell me that she has now put me on her prayer list, because she does not want me to go to hell. Now I'm not sure why, but I don't feel comfortable with that. I know that I am not going to "hell" for being a witch. I don't even believe in hell. But I don't know how to tell her that even if I did believe in hell, that I would not be going there because I am not evil. She doesn't seem to understand anything I say to her. Any suggestions? Thanks. Oh, BTW... Love the site. :)
-Niklariana

Hello!
First of all, the reason Christians do this is out of love, not hatred, which you seem to understand already. Christians believe what they believe as strongly as we do. That does not make them wrong. No religion is wrong. All religions are equal and in many ways, the same. Her God is equivalent to the "All" or universe that we believe in. In short, Christians and Pagans worship the same creator being or beings. Just because we have different names for it does not mean that one of us is good and one of us is evil or right or wrong. The one difference that Christians have is fear. Christians are taught from an early age to fear God and to fear Hell. You may be feeling uncomfortable, but her terror of Hell is so great because she believes, that she fears for you. It is only a sign that she has a healthy belief in her religion, which is good. We certainly don't want to convert anyone.
Because many people are not Pagan and know little or nothing about the religion, they may feel that they need to pray for others to find their religion as well. I believe that this is just to help them feel better in their own belief and that is okay.
She obviously cares about you and that should be acknowledged. You really cannot stop her (and probably should not, for her sake). This is something you will see for the rest of your life. The best thing to do is just acknowledge it, but do not dwell on it too much. You don't want to develop a dislike for any religion or any belief. Just take it in stride that she cares for you. You may even want to thank her to help her feel better as she may be a little more distressed about all this than even you are. Just let it go. You do not have to bring it up again and the two of you can continue to be friends without talking about your differing opinions in religion.

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I have been a Catholic for 36 years (since birth); I have studied witchcraft for 22 years.  I have been a practicing Christian Witch for two years.  I've known, for several years, that it is possible to be both a Christian and a witch since Christianity is my religion of choice (worship in the Trinity) and witchcraft is one of my practicing arts.  I've had to argue this point to both Christians and Wiccans alike with everyone blocking out my intellect and logic.  It is so refreshing to read your words.  Thank you for respecting my RELIGION and my ART. 
Blessed Be,
Autumn Mist

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hi this is going to be very brief but i had to tell any witch out there. im what you can call a witch but my spells dont seem to work.one spell i really want to work is my love spells. you see i really like this boy at school this is my first love, and i think he likes me back but dosent tell me i realy want us to be girlfriend and boyfriend but my spells dont work so ive saidto myself to give up because my heart is breaking but i cant seem to get over him. please give me some advise.
-Anonymous

Well, if you think he likes you back, you should try talking to him. No matter how much he likes you, if he's shy he won't say anything.
Just remember never to use a love spell to make a person love you. That is controlling and will come back to you much worse. When you perform a love spell, make sure it is a spell to find your true love. That way, you will find the guy that is perfect for you and everyone will be happy.
Remember what I said. If you think he likes you, try talking to him or hanging out.

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Dear Amber Sky Fire,
Hey how are you? I am intrested in witchcraft and I was just wondering if the is any difference between Wicca, Pagan and Celtic? If so, I would really apreciat any information you may have or web sites you know of realtion to the Celtic witchcraft as my Grandparents are Irish and I feel I have a cirten connection to Ireland. Thanks for your time.
Blessed Be,
Becky.

Dear Becky,
Well, Wicca and Celtic traditions are both Pagan. Technically, Pagan is any religion which is not Christian. The word "Pagan" has more recently come to mean "a nature based religion," however. If you are interested in practicing the Celtic traditions, there is a wonderful little book called Celtic Magic written by D. J. Conway that I think you will find most useful. There are also a few other Celtic religious books on the market today.
You can find a list of books here:
http://witch-crafted.com/book20.htm

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I would like to as you a question relating to the Christian/Judea Devil. I have been studying and practicing the Craft for quite sometime now, I was wondering if my memory of the Christian devil would leave me? This is being a  nuisance. I still keep remembering about this concept. How would you let this memory fade away? Does it take time?
-Autumn

Well, since there is truth in all religions, I like to think of it this way:
I believe that the concept of the devil actually exists in man. Outside of humans, there is no evil. Only humans are capable of creating evil. It does not exist by itself in nature. I think of the devil as being that side of humans that is evil, because we all have at least some evil in us. I don't really think he exists by himself and makes people do things. It is a lot easier for someone to say that some bad guy made them do something than admit to the fact that they committed a wrong. If it helps you any, there is no mention of the devil in the Old Testament. Some would argue that the serpent is the devil, but many people think that that is not true. It was just a snake. Snakes have long been a symbol of knowledge in many cultures and that may be why it was used in the bible. The devil was created after Christianity started to take over. The image of the devil as having the legs of a goat and horns on his head was taken directly from pagan gods. The Christians made the devil look like the pagan god so that the pagans would stop worshiping him. Hey, who wants to believe in an evil god, right? The devil was actually beautiful. He was the most beautiful of all angels, in fact.
After some time goes by, you will begin to loose old ideas of the devil. Just remember that you never forget that there is evil in the world. Because we are the cause of it, we must take measures to ensure that it can never take control of us.

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First, congratulations on your recent marriage.  October is a beautiful month for that ceremony and blessing. Second,  do you know of any spells, etc for righting a wrong?  My husband was recently (and very wrongfully) fired from his job.  His boss seemed to have a grudge against him, and he is having a difficult time in the aftermath.  We don't want him to get his job back, and we are not vengeful (I don't delve into anything evil!  We've already made a pact against that).  But I would like to know if there is anything that we can do to aid in this situation, or should we just let "karma" take care of it. Let me know if you need further details.
Thanks
phayte

Well, if you like, you can do a spell first for prosperity. Then try doing a spell to get him the job of his dreams. I'm sure he didn't want to be doing that nasty old job anyway. At least, that's how I like to look at it.
Blessings and light,
Amber

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Amber,
My name is R., I'm 14 and I live in England. I also practise magick amd have found it very usfull in my daily life. But recently I've had a few problems with my home and love life and began to arm myself. Now even though I want to stop, I can't. A teacher at my school has already noticed but I assured him that I had stopped, and that there was no need to call my parents. But if he sees the new scars on my wrists he'll tell them. I don't know what to do. Please help.

Yours
sincearly
R.

Dear R.,
I know how you feel. When I was fifteen, I did the same. I was in love with someone who hurt me. My mother left my brother and I with a father who was abusive. I thought I had a horrible life. I tried many times to kill myself. It was my best friend who finally made me realize that I was living in this tiny little box I had built for myself. I thought that everything that existed in my life was in the little box with me. I didn't realize that there was so much more out in the world for me. It was dizzying. I thought that a relationship was all I was and if things weren't working out for me, death was a way out. But it is not that way. Karma does not work that way. Not only is death not a way out, but you will have to come back and do it all over again until you get it right. That means more pain. I realized that death was the stupidest idea I had ever come up with. Why do it over again from the beginning? Why not make it end now by doing it right? With so much pressure around me to do this or do that, I didn't realize that I didn't have to do what others said I did. I didn't have to live in the box. I realized that there was one person out there for me, one soulmate. If two people were meant to be together, then they WILL be. Nothing can stop that. I realized that since things didn't work out with him, he must not be the one. I didn't hate him anymore after that. I just moved on. I figured if I could find my TRUE soulmate, the love and happiness I would feel so much grander than what I experienced before with that "other" guy. I started worrying more about taking care of myself. I set goals. I decided what I wanted in life. I dreamed about moving to Oregon and giving birth to two children, all by myself, in my forest home near the beach. I dreamed day and night. I drew pictures, read books, wrote stories. Eventually, I began to grow brighter and feel better. I feel I came out of a tremendous lesson and I passed with flying colors. It was a moment I passed so that I could move on with my life and my next life, without having to go back and do it over again the hard way. Now I see life like a game. Yes, you can loose if you don't try. But it is much more fun to win. When I was younger life seemed so long, like I had lived forever. Now I realize how I almost wasted it. There is no reason to waste life. Just turn it around another way. I learned the wonderful gift I was given. I tend to live a little outside the rules, now. (Of course, being a witch is like that, right?) I became a totally different person. I remember I got rid of a lot of friends since then. I made myself better. I made myself strong. Now there is nothing I cannot do. Life is the greatest gift. It is the possibility to enjoy all things. You just have to open the lid of the box and step outside.

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Thank you for your help. I have another problem: I think I may be pregnant. But this is more complecated than it sounds. When I was 3 monts old I had meningitis, and throughout my life have had many operations on my head. I have been told by my docter that any child I carry may be brain damaged. That, and the fact that I'm 14, and still at school. The other day I did an 'out with the old, and in with the new' spell. Do you think this wold have done anything?

I am not sure. Spells can work in different ways. The best option is to get a pregnancy test if you think you may be pregnant. Some can be purchased at the store, but they do not work 100% of the time. The best test is a blood test. If you think you are pregnant and it has not been very long since you became pregnant, there is a pill called a "morning after pill" which can prevent you from becoming pregnant or abort a pregnancy up to a couple of weeks after pregnancy, if you decide you need an abortion.
You have many different options here if you are pregnant. First, you need to decide whether you want to have the baby. You have both yourself and your child to consider. Many young people who choose to let their babies live can give the child over to an adoptive family. This does not mean that you cannot see your child ever again. There are programs that would allow you to have joint custody of your child: ie - see her on weekends, etc.
You can also get an abortion, but unless you are 18, the doctor must receive a parent's consent. It may be a difficult thing for you to tell your parents, but if you are pregnant, it will HAVE to come out sometime.
The best way to tell is to go to the parent you feel most comfortable with telling (usually your mother) and tell them. Let them know you love them and you need their help and that you have made a mistake. You have to be as mature about it as you can.
If it were me, I would personally choose an abortion. I do not press this decision on you, it is just the one I think would be best for myself. I would want what is best for my children. If I knew they might be brain damaged, I would abort the pregnancy. I believe that a soul will not inhabit a body until it is very developed. The soul will move on and perhaps come into your body later when you are ready to have a child. Of course, there are different religious beliefs on this subject.
Besides that, it is very difficult to take care of a child if you have to go to school and when you are very young. It would not be best for the child.
If you are pregnant and you do decide to keep the child, you might wish to do a spell of health and protection for your little one, to see them through the pregnancy safely. Just remember that if you do decide to have a child, you must always see it as a blessing, never as a burden that you must carry.

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Dear Amber,
I've been wondering some things out of curiousity. I hope you can help. ;-)

1.A long time ago, probably about a year ago, I did a Healing Spell for my aunt. Up until now she's been healed and about a month ago she becomebad off sick and regained cancer and can't eat ever again. I've been thinking to myself is it my fault? The only logically explaination that I came up is that i didn't ask her permission and the family thinks it's an act from the Christainity God. Another thing is that i think i shouldn't do a spell in which the God and Goddess doesn't get credit.

2.I've been very busy lately. I haven't had time to do any of my spells. The last time I did a spell was around summer time when I accidently burnt my altar cloth. My question is if i hadn't cast a spell in long period of time and I accdiently burnt my altar cloth , can that affect my future spell-casting? But i gather why the spell didn't work that day because I wasn't quite concentrating and I did burnt my altar cloth.

3.I know all life is precious and sacred. I was wondering is it bad to kill a creature for self-defense or pre-cautionary safety. An example would be an ant that could get in your ear and cause harm or a mosquito that bites you and you have a risk of running nile west fever. I don't kill creatures just to kill them.

4.Somebody told me it's ok to cuss when you're by yourself or talking to somebody in a conversation that it's ok to do, but as long as you respect the spirits when you do your spell-casting and go to your altar. Is that ok?

5.One last thing, say if you had a real close family member that died and they never knew you were a witch and if u told them they would be against it, could their spirit come back and affect (in a negative way) your spell-casting?

Thanks! I look forward to your email Amber!
Blessed Be!

Dearest Shelby,
1. I can see what you mean about your aunt. We can perform healing spells and sometimes this can save a person's life. Something you should know, however, is that nothing can bring a person back when it is their time. Everyone is born with a certain number of days in their hand. Once those days are spent up, you cannot change the course of death. That is fate and something we must all live with (otherwise we would have found out by now how to be immortal :) ) True, you should not perform a spell on someone without them asking, but sometimes we need to make that judgment for ourselves. You performed this act out of pure love, so no evil can come of it. It may just be that this is what the universe has in store. Part of being a witch is accepting that and the courses of nature. As for the God and Goddess, if you feel that they should be respected in your spells then that is what you must do. It is a good idea to follow your instincts. They are there for a reason.

2. Fire is a hazard in ritual and you will find that things catching fire will be a regular occurrence in years to come. It just comes with the territory, I suppose. If you feel that this may be a sign, then it might be time to change something.

3. All life IS precious and sacred. Nature, however, works in her own way. It is perfectly acceptable to kill for food or self defense. That is the way of the world and we do not seek to change that. Besides, I know I smack those pesky mosquitoes when they bite me. I think I would consider that self-defense.

4. As far as cussing goes, it is not a sin. Wicca does not have "sin." However, it is a good idea to try never to cuss. People do not like it and it is very rude. Young people get in the habit of doing it because their friends do it. It may seem cool when you are young, but no one wants to talk to an adult that uses curse words in normal conversation. I try never to use them. It makes you a better and more pleasant person. Since we have a responsibility to our Pagan community and other witches, it is best for us all to remain composed and be a good example for all of us. I do, however, let an occasional one slip if I stub my toe or smash my finger. I don't see any harm in this, but I try to keep a tight rein on my words.

5. When you die, you enter the spirit world. All things are made known to us and we understand everything when we die. Your loved one's soul would be filled with love for you, never hatred. We do not retain the religious fears we had in life. I think you have nothing to worry about, except making as many good days on earth as you can with your loved ones before they pass on.

Dear Matt,
Yes, you are right. The relative direction changes according to which hemisphere you are in. I do not study witchcraft of the southern hemisphere, so I do not know if it is the same or different. I would say that it is the same, but again, I do not know.
The top point of the star does represent spirit. I have never heard of it representing nature. To me, I would think that it represents spirit and the circle represents nature. Spirit is the fifth element, so it only makes sense that it would be the fifth point of the star. As for nature, it encompasses everything. Earth, air, fire, water, and spirit are all parts of nature, so I would think that the circle would represent nature. Either way, I cannot say that anyone else is wrong. This just makes more sense to me and it is the only way that I have seen it. You may want to do some studying and see if it is the same in the southern hemisphere. Then you might find out whether your system works or not. (I would really love to hear it, by the way)

As far as types of witches go, you are NEVER in need of placing yourself in any type of group when it comes to religion. True, there are some general types, but if you feel you do not fit into one group, you should not put a label on yourself. I am often called Wiccan, even though I am not truly a Wiccan. I call myself a hedge witch, though there are a few things different there as well. It is entirely up to you and if you wish to be eclectic (not choosing any type but incorporating ideas from many) then by all means, follow what you believe.
Your idea of witchcraft is correct. We are all part of one great whole. Sometimes this is known as nature or the Great Spirit or the All (or even God). I, myself do not believe in seperate deities, at least not the commonly worshipped ones. I do believe that there are aspects to everything. When I pray for something, I pray to a specific aspect of it for whatever I need. For example, when I need healing, I do not pray to the All, I pray to the little part of it that is responsible for healing. If someone wishes to see this as a human god or goddess entity, that is part of their belief, but I am a little different. If you are looking for a certain name to call yourself, you might use the term "Eclectic Witch" or even just "Witch" if you are comfortable with that. Otherwise, you are not bound to calling yourself anything. I, too, have trouble working with others and have never been part of a group.

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Dear Amber,
I am 18 years old and have been practicing the craft for a few years now and have heard several diffenet rumors. One being that you have to be initiated in to the craft while others say you don't. What is your opinion on this?
Blessed Be- Megan

Dear Megan,
Just like any religion, you can practice what you believe without being initiated. There are some witches and magicians who believe that you MUST be part of a coven and that you MUST be initiated by someone. This is just not true. If you want to be part of their group you must be initiated, but it is not necessary if you are going to be following your own path by yourself. There are many self-dedication rituals that you can perform once you have decided to devote your whole life to the craft but these are also not absolutely necessary.

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I know this may be a strange question...but I love your wedding dress and was wondering where you got it? Thanks!
-Kelley

Well, this may be an even stranger answer. It was given to me by my mother's best friend. She wore it in the 60's I think. It was in great condition, only it had a lace collar that came up all the way to my chin. I cut it off, way down to my cleavage and got rid of all the lace. Unfortunately, I could not remove all of the daisies because they were glued on, but it turned out to be quite lovely.
Thank you for the compliment.

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I am scared of what i have done when i first came to your website and started the lessons i figured it was a big joke.  My mother used to practice and i thought she was crazy , but know i have started casting my own spells and tring what you will.  Well i had a problem with a man and my wife so i casted a spell toremove the problem from my life.  This is the first time i really tried to make a spell work. Well my problem thi am am facing is that the man passed away 2 days affter i casted the spell, and i am worried about what is going to come back on me. Please understand i didnt cast the spell hoping for this to happen and would like to know if you have any idea on what i should do i hope you have some ideaa in what i should do. thank you and as allways blessed be
your brother in faith
-dave

Wow. That is a problem.
Well, there are a couple of ways of looking at this. First of all, you know you did not have bad intentions. You did not ask for the guy to die. By asking to have the problem removed, you are allowing Karma to do what it will to bring about the change that you desire. If you really did not cast the spell against him or mean him any harm, then it will not go on your Karma. You should not feel that you are responsible for his death.
There is something that you can do to make yourself feel better about this situation. There are ways of contacting this person through meditation and astral travel. You should try to contact him and make peace with him. Because he is just a soul now, it will not be as though you are talking to the man who was alive, but by making peace with him now, you will feel better about yourself and know that he is at peace and holds no anger against you. This kind of experience is very sobering and can determine what steps you decide to take in your magick-working lifestyle.
In the future, you should remember to add something to the end of all of your spells that will render your magick harmless to others. Many Pagans add something like "...with harm to none and goodwill to all, as I will, so mote it be." By adding the "harm to none" you will protect yourself and others from magickal backfires.
Just remember that this was not your fault. Karma handled it the way it knew was right. It was his time to go, just as it will one day be all our times to go. It may be at the hands of nature or another person or at the hands of old age. Any way it happens, that is our appointed time. We need only to do our best to make use of the time we have and to respect life and death for others.
Blessings and light,
Amber

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I have been seeing fairies and I have let them into my home. in the night they do things and in the morning I get in to trouble for it. I have told my mum it was the fairies but she doesn't believe me my best friend sees them to and they have done the same thing to her. Last week they hid my mums necklace under my pillow and I know that I didn't do it and then the next night they broke my mums favorite vase I am an only child so no one else could have done it.
what do I do? Is it the fairies or do we have ghosts please tell me because I don't want to get in any more trouble
-Stephanie

Fairies do often do mischievous things. They are, however, willing to work with you. If you leave them sweets or cookies with milk and ask them not to cause trouble and to help around the house. If you make it clear that they are welcome as long as they stop causing trouble, then they will quit making mischief. Just don't forget to keep leaving them sweets and milk periodically and thanking them for their help.

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mah frens n i are newcomers, we jus started to try witch craft, n we like it, we think it is fun. but we are unhappy with our body's....do you kno any spells that will change our body form? thanx,
me

Witchcraft is not fun and games. It is a religion which teaches one to love the earth and oneself. You must learn to love your body. There is nothing that can change you. You should turn your thinking around. Learn to love yourself. True magick will never work for you until you see yourself as you really are, not as you think you should see yourself. We are taught by society to think that we are ugly because we do not look exactly like super models. We are all, in fact, quite beautiful. When you learn that, when you think you are truly as beautiful as you are, you will start to understand how magick works. When you see yourself as beautiful, you will begin to become beautiful.
-Amber

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Dear Amber,
I've successfully been in witchcraft for about a year at the most. I'm use to casting circles to make my spells work more effectively. My question would be:Is it ok if I was to make my own spell-casting ritual,instead of doing a circle.(my ritual only for my spellcasting)I also was wondering if a witch doesn't cast a circle how does her spells work even if she performs her magick with nature? One thing I have in my spell-casting ritual is salt. I put salt in my shoes so I can walk freely around and about Nature so nothing evil will follow or hinder me while I do my magick. By me doing that, will that make it or make my spells effective instead of doing a circle? And would it be possible for my spells to work with salt in my shoes so I can roam freely about Nature while I do my magick?
Brightest Blessings Amber!
-Roxana.

Dear Roxana,
The purpose of the circle is to place yourself "between the worlds" in order for your magick to work both on this plane and on the astral plane. It also serves as protection. You do not need to cast the circle as long as you take some kind of precautionary statement (such as putting blessed salt in your shoes and purifying yourself with incense and holy water) and also as long as you perform some kind of ritual asking for the aid of the elements and to place yourself between the worlds. Often a simple meditation can be done. You should also make sure to call out your intentions out loud so that it will exist on both the physical and astral realms. Also, don't forget to ground after you are finished. I do not usually cast a circle when I perform my magick. I, instead, perform another protection ritual that I feel comfortable with. Like most witches say, it is best if you create your spells and rituals yourself.
Blessings,
Amber

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Amber,
      Blessings, my friend. Hey I just want you to know what happened to my very first ritual. Well, actually I designed one because as I said before, I still lack some materials. Forgive me if you find my sharing more of a ah an experiment but this is how it goes. I followed all the instructions in your websites. Upon indulging in prayers I immediately felt something strange as if someone is watching me. Honestly, I was kinda scared because a ghost or a bad spirit my just popped out in front of me but I tried to concentrate on the good things and I kept on praying and calling the name of the good Gods. In a few minutes I was able to gain the confidence. I felt my body so light. I could still feel the heat brought about by the candles representing the 4 elements but somehow, I learned to be comfortable. I felt the energy running like a river all over my body. I made a wish. It was a good wish. But along the way, I forgot one step and that is "grounding" to remove excess energy in my body. As a result, I got sick the next day. Quite sick. And because of the I asked apologies to the Gods.
     Amber, it was a nice feeling. Somehow I feel that I am making a connection to the gods. My desire for a purer way of communicating with the higher beings, somehow I feel here. I value life so much and I want to contribute something to nature. And the only thing I can do is to love them and understand them.
     Thank you so much for your advice. Thank you my friend. By the way I saw a book you wrote about a coven. I saw it when I was in Manila but it was quite expensive. I guess I'll just have to save some money so that I could buy that in the future.
Take care, my friend.
Troy

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most of the info i find is referenced to female gender. Is the craft different for men? Should I be looking for specific reading or is it all the same
Thank you
Henry

Dear Henry,
The reason most of the information you see is for women is because paganism is currently a strong feminine religion. Women have been oppressed in many cultures throughout the world and Paganism offers freedom from male-oriented religions. That is why women are often more likely to choose Paganism over Christianity than men are. Christianity teaches that women are evil or dirty and subordinate to men. Men are the leaders of the household and make all the decisions in Christian families. Men tend to be more comfortable with Christianity and often choose it for their own. If you find info that is written purely for women, then it is probably written by a Dianic Pagan (women only, Goddess only). Paganism is, however, for both men and women equally. It is best to learn from info that is not gender-based as many goddess-worshiping religions are. Most websites are made for both men and women, you just have to know how to steer clear of the Dianic pagans. Some men believe in worshiping the goddess and not the god. It all depends on what you are comfortable with.

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Amber,
     Hi there. Remember me? Troy. You know your website has helped me a lot in getting ideas about withcraft. In fact I jot it down in my journal. I plan to pursue this vocation and you are right that it is about religion and it is not a joke for we are communicating with the God and Goddess and they deserve all the respect in the universe.
     I would love to get some stuff from you but for the meantime since I am still short of budget I guess I would just have to make some necessary replacements. These are my questions that I hope you could give me advice:
1. Since I am short of cash yet, would it be possible to make some replacements like for the athame, could I use a brand new knife? A virgin knife that is? Or for the cauldron of chalice, would it be possible if I could use an ordinary glass or wine glass?
2. In drawing the circle, does this mean that I have to literally draw the circle using a chalk or with a pen since the athame is used in drawing by imaginary line?
3. In the circle, you mentioned that I have to enter from the eastern part of the circle. But if the altar is placed on that side, how can I enter and go out on that side? The altar will is blocking the way. Or is it possible that the altar could be out of the circle?
4. Can I do this inside my house?
5. About the candles, do you have a website where I could find the right herbs to decorate the candles or the right oil?

     Amber, thank you so much and I hope that you could teach me just through
exchanging e-mails and I hope you could come over here in the Philippines one
day and we could meet.
Blessings!!
Troy

Dearest Troy,
Good questions. First of all, you must remember that tools are just that: tools. You can use anything for each of the tools that you wish. The athame can be replaced by any virgin knife. You can also use your index finger of your power hand or your wand. A wand can be made of any stick. The power is not in what the tool looks like but what it symbolizes. A bowl can be used for a cauldron and a glass can be used for a chalice.
Second, you draw the circle physically and spiritually. Begin by drawing the circle physically. You can make a circle in the dirt, outline one with a piece of rope or draw it with chalk. You will also need to draw it with the athame when you are performing the ritual.
Third, you do need to enter the circle from the east. The altar should not be placed in the eastern part of the circle. It should be in the center but facing east. I guess that can be a little confusing if it isn't written properly.
You can perform a ritual ANYWHERE: inside your home, outside, in a hotel, a car, wherever. The secret is to create a sacred space wherever you are. It is best, however, if you do it outdoors.
As for herbs and oils, you can find a variety in different online stores.
Ancient Wisdom has herbs and oils at good prices:
http://www.awmarker.com/AncientWisdom/index.html
The Celtic Connection also has both:
http://www.wicca.com/
Probably the best selection is at Azure Green Distribution located here:
http://www.azuregreen.com/

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Hi Amber. I want to know about your thoughts on re-incarnation. I've read so many different opinions on re-incarnation that I don't know which one is the true one. I've always thought that when you die you would be given the choice whether to go back and live another life or to stay in the realm of the spirits. I always thought that you would be given the choice to do what you would like to do. I don't know whether this is true though. And also awhile back I had a lot of psychological problems. I began to doubt everything I am or have ever believed in and tried several times to kill myself. The only reason I didn't is because I've always been afraid of pain and of causing others to feel pain. Sometimes I feel like my problems are going to come back and that I may succeed in killing myself. I'm not afraid of death but I still don't want to die. Is there a spell which I can use to try and heal myself of these mental problems? I can't buy anything because my mom really disapproves of wicca and witchcraft and would become suspicious if I bought anything. Is there anyway that I can do spells or rituals without having to buy any herbs or tools? Thankyou so much for helping me.

Dear C****,
I personally believe that you can do whatever you want when you die. Your spirit remains and can move from place to place. You can remain in any realm you wish, travel, protect a loved one who is still living or you can enter another body and live another life. Different religions believe different things but all religions believe in the soul.

I tried to kill myself when I was young, too. I tried many times. I think it is something that most young people go through. It is a very hard time in life because so much pressure is being put on you from your parents, friends, teachers, the law, and your siblings and family members. Everyone expects you to live up to certain expectations. We don't really think about it, but it can be very exhausting. Once you leave the house and realize you don't have to do all those things - just be yourself - you really start to feel free and you don't have to work so hard to please everyone else. It can get really exhausting and it causes depression. This can be made worse by little things like a boyfriend leaving you or getting in a fight with your parents. Believe me, I know. It is so hard. My life is so wonderful now, though. I am very happy. I make decisions for myself based on what I believe and I feel confident that I have made the right choices. It makes me feel good that others cannot try and tell me what to do any longer. Time will make things easier. In the meantime, there are lots of different things you can do to help. You do not have to perform spells using candles or herbs. A spell is like another word for "prayer". You can say a spell or burn a candle for a spell while chanting over it three times. You can carry healing stones such as rose quartz and amethyst. These stones will help heal your emotions. Carrying a moonstone with them will double the power of the stone. Something else you might want to know: there are certain vitamins and herbs which you can take that will work like a Prozac to make you happy. Vitamin B12 and the Herb CatClaw (which you can buy in pill capsules at the store) will make you feel happy and give you a sense of well-being. Just take one of either one a day. If it isn't doing anything you may want to take two. Never exceed the dosage on the bottle.

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Dearest Fiona,
Yes, many people do fear and hate us. We should never worry about those who go against their religions and out of their way to hurt others, even if they believe them to be evil. The same thing is happening between us and the Afghanis as well. People think it is ok to use their religion as a reason to hurt someone, but that is never ok or justified, especially if their religion clearly states to do unto others as you would have done unto you. We cannot change these people. It is best just to ignore them and try and get our message to the good people.
I wish that I could change the prices, but I also do not know the differences in currency. I will talk to my credit card company when I get the business up and rolling and see if they can make tender transactions between countries. I'm sure it won't be much trouble.
Blessings!
-Amber

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I was looking at your tarot page and I saw that you didn't have the reverse meanings for the cards. it would be helpful to people new to tarot 'cause if u do  tarot readings. You  know when they come up upside down they have a totally different meaning.
-Lyssica

Wow. You brought up a fantastic point. I don't know why I didn't think of that earlier when I typed it up. I'll get right on that and try and have the reverse meanings up this week. I can't believe I did that.
Thanks so much!
-Amber

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Hello,
 Me and my friend love and want to study witchcraft. We  want to study and learn it and use it for good not evil we have come across a lot of sites
that are fake and looked at books that did not help as a result of this we were wondering if this was real. As we told you, we want to study it as science, not fiction we have looked at the site and were also wondering about the lessons what do they teach us? Even though we are young we are very interested. please write back soon we appreciate your time
thanks

Hello,
Witchcraft is nothing like you see in the movies or read in books. You can't stop time or shoot lighting bolts from your fingers. Witchcraft is mostly a religion. Witchcraft is learning to get in touch with where we really come from: the earth. Witchcraft is learning about science and physics and medicine. We do use spells and potions, but they aren't like the movies. Spells are the mind's way of tricking itself into accomplishing something that we cannot control consciously. For example, all humans have natural telepathic abilities. You can control your own thoughts and to some extent, other's thoughts. Controlling another's free will is wrong and will only prove ill, but you can block certain things. A spell for invisibility will not make you invisible, but you will blend into a crowd and no one will notice you. A healing spell will make the healed person heal themself quicker and more thoroughly. Suggestion is often used. Most medical problems are caused by stress, fatigue, or nervousness. Some spells used to heal focus on calming the patient and imagining that they are healed. Because they envision the healing, they truly become healed. This is what we call magic. Perhaps someday we will be able to do these things just by thinking them and will not have to trick our subconscious into doing it. Spells are medicines using herbs mixed together in special doses to cure illnesses and prevent others. The old spells in books (frog's toes, bat's wing, etc.) are actually old names of herbs that we no longer use. Some herbs had leaves that looked like lizard's tails or some other animal's body part and so that is what they were named after. If you want to learn witchcraft, you will have to know more than spells and potions. You must know how, why and when to use them, what the consequences are and other areas of magic and religion. My lessons are okay, but they are not complete. You should learn from others as well. If you want to try some books, the best book for beginners is: "To Ride a Silver Broomstick" by Silver RavenWolf. After you finish it, you may want to try "Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft" by Raymond Buckland. Though Silver's books can sometimes be a little shallow, she brings up some good points and her books are easy and fun to read. Learn from as many people as you can and always remember to take notes!
May you walk in light.
-Amber

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Hey, well what I remember of my dream today was that I was in some kind of  jail with another girl (well first it was a guy then it turned into a girl).
then some solders came the were going to shoot us but the this spider bite him so he left then I woke up.  So I was thinking maybe u can help me  by
telling me what my dream means or if its just a dream and it means nothing.
-RxStar7

Your dream could be interpreted any number of ways. It could mean that the spider is your guardian animal or totem animal. If you are afraid of spiders, the dream may be telling you that something you are afraid of deserves a second look. Perhaps something you loathe will help you. The best way is to try and interpret your dreams yourself. Look for symbols in your dreams such as the jail, soldier and the spider. Interperet what these things mean to you. Usually, it will make sense if you think about what each thing means to you. Sometimes they are just dreams, but many pagans believe that dreams can also foretell the future, give insight to problems and let us know what is going on with our bodies.
-Amber

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Hello Amber, My Name is Melissa and i was wondering if you could give me some ideas on what books are good to read on getting to learn the Wicca religion and what witchcraft is about. I am from Canada and the town I am from does not really have any book stores with this kind of information. I'm really interested in this topic and is something I would like to learn about more and maybe to someday practice once I know as much as I need to know. so any helpful hits would be helpful, your website sure has many items to go through and read but I like it.
Thanks !

Dear Melissa,
One of the best books to start with is "To Ride a Silver Broomstick" by Silver RavenWolf. It is simple to understand and easy to read. This book also has a sequel called "To Stir a Magic Cauldron." I began the first book and with a book called "Celtic Magic" by D.J. Conway. After you read the basics, you should try reading "Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft" by Raymond Buckland. Many of the things are a little more difficult, but it teaches lots more about magic. I suggest purchasing items online. Good places to buy books are at Amazon.com and at ebay.com.
-Amber

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I know that there a lot of things one person could learn here and I do find it very educational but some of it it is hard to understand. Not just this but a lot of other things. I have recently asked a few other people for recommendations and such and no doubt the ones they gave me were good but it confuses me in a lot of the teachings. I was wondering if there is anything that anyone could recommend that would be good for a very beginner that you or anyone else might find understandable. Thank you for your time
-Nichole

Dear Nichole,
Unfortunately, there is not just one religion in witchcraft. If you want something basic, you should probably start by learning Wicca. I recommend "To Ride a Silver Broomstick" by Silver RavenWolf. It is very simple, easy to understand, and is lots of fun to read. Later, when you understand more, you can read other things and they will make more sense.
-Amber

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Dear Amberskyfire,
My daughter and I are having so much fun with your site! We love it!! We can't wait to try out some of your recipes. Thank you SO much for my most favorite witch site that I have found.
Blessed Be,
Rhonda and Rosemary

Dear Rhonda and Rosemary,
Thank you so much! If you find anything that I should add to my site, let me know. I am always looking for updates and new things to learn. Blessed be to both of you.
-Amber

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Can you give me a potion or recipe to help someone who is hooked on crack
cocaine? Any info would be most helpful. We are also pursuing professional
help, as well. Thank You,
SandyKoven

Here is a potion that I have concocted for you:
Take 1 quart of water and add 1 tablespoon of the following ingredients:
chamomile
rosemary
sage
valerian
handful of fresh violet flowers

Boil these ingredients on a stovetop for about 20 to 30 minutes until the water doesn't get any darker brown in color.
Make a flower essence of Milkweed flowers in 1 cup of water. Use as many flowers as possible for this. Place a small handful of the flowers into a thin glass bowl. Do not use a thicker Pyrex bowl. Cover the flowers with spring water only. Let the bowl sit outdoors in the sun for at least three hours. This allows the healing properties to seep into the water. Strain.

When the boiled herbs have cooled completely, pour them into an opaque (so no light can get in) container and mix in the flower essence of Milkweed. Place in an amethyst crystal and seal the container. This potion may smell a little because of the valerian, but should be tasty. If you want to add sugar, add it as you take it and not all at once to the potion. Drink two to three small teacups a day (about 1/2 cup) or as needed.

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Hello amber.
 I was looking at your site. I was wondering, do you have something simple to say to lose weight, 'cause really need it. I have turned everywhere. I have been very depressed lately. I have tried psychic telemetry and it doesn't work. I just can't get rid of the weight. I was in perfect shape until what an ex best friend did and had a gain in eating habits. If u do have n e simple things to say please send them to me. I would like one for losing weight, making friends (popular), making money, getting a b/f, and that's about it. If I have n e more I will feel freely to email u. I hope u can help me. I have no where else to turn. (like a chant to say)
Thanks,
Shelby

Dear Shelby,
It seems like you need something to make you feel beautiful (because we all know that you look as beautiful as you feel!). Here are a few things that you can try:
A TRUE BEAUTY SPELL
Prepare:
A dish full of earth (good soil, not dry, dusty dirt).
A yellow candle
A full-sized mirror
Olive, patchouli, jasmine, or cinnamon essential oil
A small flower pot
A flower or plant seed
Anoint the candle with the essential oil you have chosen. Place it in the center of the dish of earth. Light it and sit down with it between you and a mirror.
Look deeply into the mirror, concentrate on your reflection. Without being vain, consider the things you find most beautiful about yourself- not just physically but mentally. What is your inner beauty, what is your outer beauty?
It's important that you never think of what you feel must be "changed", be as positive about the beauty that you have already. Perform this ritual 3 nights in a row.
Once the entire candle has burnt down, remove the wax from the dish. Place the earth from the dish inside a small flower pot and plant a seed inside it. Water it and care for it so that it grows properly. You will soon find that your beauty will grow, flourish, and shine brighter than ever before- just as the plant grows before you, emerging from its seed.

A CHANT FOR BEAUTY:
You must say this chant when the moon is full:

True beauty within,
True beauty without,
Take what I hate
Like water at drought.

Say this chant any time that you remember until the moon becomes new. On the new moon, chant this spell:

Self love and protection
These two I do need
For beauty that I'll feel
And others will heed.

Chant this chant every day, or whenever you remember until the next full moon. make sure that when you do either spell, you make sure to get proper exercise and eat healthy foods. Spells can't exactly work miracles, they will need your help. There are other things that can affect weight that doctors don't hit on, such as your environment and what you do as a pastime. If your house is messy or cluttered, it can cause weight gain. Also, if you have too much free time and are often bored, it can cause weight gain. Try taking up a hobby or housecleaning. That's what I do.

As for money, Silver RavenWolf has a great chant that works for me. Just say "trinka-five" several times. It's good for quick money, but not really for long term. I like it because I'm a waitress and all I ever get is quick cash.

For friends and the like, you can find spells for friendship in my book of shadows. Just remember that maybe what is happening is meant to be just for now and you may not be able to change it. I don't know you personally, so I cannot judge what will happen. Just try these and see how they work.

I hope this works for you!
May you walk in light.
-Amber

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Hello,
I am in great need of some guidance! When I was in Junior High, a girl I new vaguely was mean to me for no apparent reason, well of course being 14 I retaliated I was very mean back. But by the end of the school year we were friends and very nice to each other. We went to different High schools and I have never seen her again. In my Freshmen year she hung her self from a tree in her back yard. I have been so haunted with guilt ever since this. Is there anything I can do to ensure that she is in peace or to let me let this go?
Thank you. Blessed Be
Deanna

Dearest Deanna,
I will answer your question assuming that you are pagan and rely on pagan beliefs. Unlike Christians, Pagans do not believe in hell. We believe that the soul goes to a place called "The Summerland." Upon death, there is total peace and an understanding. In life, we are given lessons. We choose how we react to those lessons. Life is a learning experience. When we die we collect those memories and prepare for a new life. Your friend will very likely learn that suicide is not the answer in her next life. She will have learned how to treat others, to be a good person and how to make her life better. Be assured that wherever she is, she is at peace. It is very hard for us to understand the workings of the universe. We are very small and unimportant and so we place the blame and worry upon ourselves. What happened was, most assuredly, not your fault. You cannot place blame upon yourself or worry about what has happened her. She is not gone, but continuing her journey just like everyone else. What you can do is remember her and learn from her mistakes, her faults, and also the good things about her. It is only in other's memories that we can truly remain alive. You will see her again, maybe quite a few times. Many pagans believe that we are all on the same path and in the end, all will reunite and converge to share all of our experiences. It is easier to think that she has just gone away for a little while (as if visiting another country) and will be home soon. I hope that this helps.
May you walk in light.
-Amber

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Dear Amber Fire,
I am trying out the whole Wiccan or witchcraft as you call it and I don't understand it. Would you please e-mail me to answer my question. 1, What is the main belief in it? What do I have to be wary of?
Thank you so much
Dj

Dear DJ,
I will try and answer your question in as concise a manner as I can. Wicca and witchcraft are nature-based beliefs and religions. Instead of worshipping a single "God", Wiccans believe in and cherish the earth as their mother and creator. Nature is most important to witches, as every aspect of our life and survival depends upon the earth on which we live. Witches do not rely on prayers to some huge god in the sky to solve their problems. Witches, instead, see that we are the problem and we must do all that we can to fix our earth-mother. As far as deities go, witches focus on the two aspects of a single "All". The All is everything: trees, earth, souls, the universe and everything in it. The All has two opposing aspects. Just like the yin and yang, there is always a dark and a light, male female, cold, hot, etc... The feminine aspect is the Goddess. She is often portrayed as a very large woman or a very lovely woman. However she is shown, she represents darkness (not evil, just the absence of light, as in the womb or in a cave), the earth, solid matter, the moon, and water or liquids. The God is usually portrayed as having antlers and fury legs like that of a goat or deer. This representation of both a stag and a man shows masculinity, sexuality, and strength. "He" encompasses spirit, air, light, and is symbolized by the sun. Without both of these aspects, we cannot survive. This dependence on the two makes them sacred in their own right. Some witches actually worship the two as deities and entities while others, like myself, prefer to give honor to those things which they represent, such as the earth and sun. Different pagan religions will have slightly different beliefs.
Wicca is not all about casting spells. You must be careful of what is called "the law of three." The law of three states that whatever you do will come back to you, and you can be absolutely sure of that. Karma is another word for it. This "law" is the only rule of witchcraft and the only truth that all pagan religions believe in unity.
Wiccans believe that when you die, your soul remains and returns to a place called "The Summerland." Upon death, the soul reaches a state of peace. Here, the soul remains until it decides to return to the earth in another body or to take on another form. We believe in reincarnation. The soul enters life to learn and gain experience. When we die, we return to the earth and return again and again as animals, plants, or people. It is said that the oldest and wisest of souls end to reside in the bodies of trees. We do not believe in heaven, as we are rewarded for our good deeds in the end anyway, and we do not believe in hell. Any place of eternal suffering for small wrongdoings in our life do not complete the harmony of the balance that we all believe in. Witches an Wiccans believe that we are punished for our wrongdoings while we are here on the earth.
I hope that this answers some of your questions. Let me know if I need to touch up on anything else.
-Amber

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Dear Amber,
 Hi, it's me again.  I have another question: Have you seen the move "The Craft?"  In that movie, the actresses perform fake spells, and I was wondering, if I was to perform those exact same spells, would they work? Like in the Binding part, and the Light as a Feather Stiff as a Board part, and throwing a Glamour.  Would those work even though they were special effects?
Sincerely,
 Erin

Dear Erin,
Some spells are easily cast. The binding spell that was performed was a real spell. You can do that same spell. The "light as a feather, stiff as a board" is actually a game played by children and is not a spell. You will have to go find another website on how exactly to do that. I used to play it with my friends and it really is very interesting to try and figure out how you can lift someone up using your fingers. Unfortunately, you cannot actually levitate them, but with two people on either side, you can lift the person up with only two fingers and carry them around the room. It is fun for children to play, but I can't remember exactly how. I don't really think that it is a spell, though. Glamoury can work, but it doesn't change what you look like, it only changes how others perceive you. You can cast a glamoury spell to appear healthier, more beautiful, or to make yourself invisible (people don't notice you). You can find a few simple glamoury spells on my website in the book of shadows. You can try a  few, but they are often some of the most difficult spells to perform. There is some truth in movies, but most of it is just the dreams of the special effects crews.
I hope this helps.
-Amber