Four Quarters
Points of the magic circle that are associated with an element, ritual tool, color and attributes. NORTH : To the ancient Pagans the heavens spun around the north star and they aligned their temples to this star. North is associated with darkness, mystery and the unknown. The north is also associated with the colors gold or black. Some traditions align their altars to the north. EAST : Represents illumination, enlightenment, mysticism and the eternal. Its colors are red or white. It corresponds to the element of air, the asthame or sword. Most traditions align their altars to the east. The northeast is the dividing line between the path of darkness(north) and the path of light(east). SOUTH : Represented by the colors blue or white. Energy, the sun and the element fire are associated with south. The Four Quarters is also associated with the magical wand and is the direction and channeling of the energy forces. WEST : Emotions, water, creativity, fertility and courage to face ones deepest feelings. It is associated with the chalice, the symbol of female creative power.
Great Rite
Pays homage to the male-female polarity in the universe. It expresses physical, mental, spiritual and astral union between the male and female. The great rite is associated with the sacred marriage. Neo-Pagan witchcraft is a fertility religion which includes intercourse. The Rite releases enormous power which may be directed for magical purposes. It is one of the eightfold paths. The great rite is usually performed within the magical circle. The great rite is usually carried out in a symbolic manner rather then in actuality. The high priest plunges a ritual knife into a chalice filled with wine which is held by the high priestess. In some covens the union is done in actuality.
Grimoires
Very old handbooks of magic, some of which may date back to ancient times. Grimoires were well used during the 16th and 17th centuries. In some covens they may still use some magic texts from Grimoires. The original purpose of these grimoires was to conjure up the Demons who would be used by the magician to gain wealth or bring harm to enemies. Grimoires give very detailed instructions which are very difficult to carry out. These instructions include what to wear, what prayers and incarnations to use, the tools that are required, precise astrological times, recipes for incense, seals, signals, magic circles, amulets, talisman and more. Grimories first came into common use around the 13th century and is thought by some to have been linked to the Knights Templar. A true grimoire is written by hand, those that are typed or mass produced are fake and should be thrown in the rubbish bin. Much of the material in grimoires is taken from Egyptian texts dating back to around 100A.D. Using the Demons meant making a pact with them. The grimoires help the magician outwit the demons so as not to fulfill the magicians end of the bargain. The greatest grimoire is "The Key of Solomon" which was attributed to the legendary King Solomon. Another grimoire connected to Solomon was the "Lemegeton" which included both white and black magic.
Seventh Child
The seventh son of the seventh son or the seventh daughter of the seventh daughter is said to possess supernatural powers. In the Tamar only a male child born in this way may be a record carrier and only a female child born in this way may be high priestess. There were seven planets in ancient astronomy, the world was created in seven days, each of the four phases of the moon lasts for seven days, seven notes on the musical scale, seven colours in the rainbow, seven is the number of wisdom, truth and harmony. From around the sixteenth century onwards, children born into a seventh position in their family were thought to have the power to heal by touch. However, some people viewed the seventh child of the seventh child as being cursed.
