Five Ways to Lay the Witch's Compass | Traditional Witchcraf

[@calypso_lazuli]

Very interesting stuff, I’m just now learning about laying the compass myself. I think too, it’s so important to go into the history of the usage of the use of a “circle” to make sense of things because it is confusing for beginner witches.... The protective circular ritual began in Mesopotamia (Babylonia in particular) and immediately was adopted into Ancient Egypt and appeared to be used by priests who left their holy temples into peoples’ homes where they’d cast a circle around whatever material or person they wanted to perform magic on so that they could either protect whatever was inside the circle or used the circle to enclose some kind of energy. This ritual was adopted into early Hermeticism and brought over into Europe where it was primarily used in high magic. I think truthfully once one understands the history of the casting of the circle, it makes more sense why one would use it and it’s something I wish I would have known when I first started studying witchcraft. And I’m just paraphrasing the history of the circle by the way, it was used for a whole bunch of different purposes especially during pregnancies.

[@bladeandbroom]

Yes, absolutely! Ancient priests and communities felt their regular ritual spaces (temples, groves, etc) were already sacred. It was when you were working outside of those (and in particular ways) that more cleansing and protection was needed. Great paraphrasing of the history! You really hit the important bits.

[@jamesduke9809]

THANK YOU for sharing your view! Now, I understand why the "other ways" did not feel ok with me. Because of your video, I now feel even more comfortable with my own instincts. I will continue to follow them. Your presentation is relaxed and welcoming . I am Looking forward to exploring the rest of your videos.😊 Sincerely, thank you once again.

[@bladeandbroom]

Excellent! Yes, it's definitely all about finding the right way for us -- and for a given situation. Have fun exploring that!

[@SaraitheHermit]

I've been working with magick for years (only doing it intuitively with little resources available)- but recently have been introduced to the crooked path. I think this is what I've been looking for. Thank you so much for putting videos like this out- I realize I'm late to the game here, but I'm truly grateful for more information. 🌈🦋🍄

[@bladeandbroom]

Glad you've found some bits that help! I know what a difference that can make. FFF

[@SaraitheHermit]

@@bladeandbroom Very encouraging, it's nice to have some excellent resources and practices witches to turn to! 🌈🍄 I do have a question for you- I have been considering the possibility of combining spellwork with painting. Perhaps adding intention and even mixing some herbs with the paints- do you think this could be an effective way of casting?

[@bladeandbroom]

@@SaraitheHermit Oh, that sounds very cool! And I can think of a few practices that are already somewhat similar, so there is definitely a precedent. I think a combination of research and intuition can return some potent results!!

[@SaraitheHermit]

@@bladeandbroom Perfect! Thank you so much for your input. There's so much to try and so much to learn! 🌈🦋

[@everdream816]

This was incredibly helpful, especially the footage of you enacting the different methods for laying the compass! Also, the “secret” at the end was super enlightening. Thank you!

[@bladeandbroom]

You are most welcome! I'm glad to be of service!

[@cagedraptor]

I have said for years I didn't like cutting myself off from Nature when creating a circle. I stopped doing that many, many years ago. Although I have never called it a compass I, myself, have used the LBRP as a basis for one of my circle techniques.

[@BethanieBoots]

Wow this was so informative! I subscribed instantly!

[@bladeandbroom]

Thanks! Glad you found it useful. And thanks for the sub. 😍

[@icykittenlunatic1122]

Sometimes you speak so poetically ...... LOVE IT! Yeah, I love this one so much that I keep watching it and learn something new each time. Lol Thank you for your time , your knowledge and willingness to share. Blessings 🕯️

[@bladeandbroom]

Thank you, love 🥰 I'm glad you're getting so much from it. That pleases me to no end!

[@Magia_Baiser]

I don't usually cast a circle per se. I used to back in my GD / Wicca days. Now I either use the heptagram ritual from the PGM or Robin Artisson's Gateway Ring. A lot of times I work without a circle and just do a breaching charm instead. Keep up the good work!

[@bladeandbroom]

Good deal! In my mind, RA's Gateway Ring and breaching charm are variations on laying a compass. Just much simplified, personalized, and Spirit-driven, which I like.

[@hondaman6918]

I like your content, thanks for sharing!

[@bladeandbroom]

Thank you so much!

[@thenorthforcesource]

Awesome wisdom, I connect

[@ktollefson15]

Oh you are exactly what I've been looking for! Thank you for this, and for your other videos, which I will fiendishly consume in 3, 2, 1.

[@bladeandbroom]

Yay! So glad we found each other. 😍 Glad I'm making things you can use. 🥰

[@cosmiamusic]

Thank you for sharing this!! It’s sometimes hard to find different variations for laying compass. I’m definitely going to try these. Love your content so much

[@bladeandbroom]

You are so welcome!

[@icykittenlunatic1122]

Thank you!! Many blessings love🕯️

[@bladeandbroom]

😍 Many blessings!

[@witchNwand]

Thanks for the knowledge ✌️

[@vodouisant6]

" Your Witchy Aunt ".... I do need to replace my current aunt..

[@bladeandbroom]

((hugs)) Here for the Aunty-hood! 🥰

[@catcave2137]

Omg I'm so happy to find this channel, I've been looking for stuff like this!

[@bladeandbroom]

Glad you're here!

[@batty_babette]

Really interesting video! You mentioned American Folkloric Witchcraft- would you be willing to do a video delving deeper into this subject? I'm interested recently in tailoring witchcraft to where you are (I'm born and raised in the state of georgia) but am struggling a little bit on how exactly to adapt things. What parts of American folklore does your tradition use? Or I guess, where it stems? Sorry for all the questions! And the confusion 😂😅! I think even I barely know what I'm asking.

[@bladeandbroom]

I definitely get what you mean, Chloe. I'll absolutely do a video on that!

[@batty_babette]

@@bladeandbroom Thank you so much!!

[@hedgebeast8930]

I love your videos! Xx

[@bladeandbroom]

😍🥰 Thanks, love! The feeling is definitely mutual!!!

[@hedgebeast8930]

@@bladeandbroom Aw, bless ya babe. Thank you! 🙂 Xx

[@chuckfriebe843]

Absolutely loved this video! It was more thorough than any book that I have read and I’ve read many which included this topic. Question for you about “the crossroads “. Many of the trad witchcraft books that I’ve read talk about the importance of doing rituals at an actual crossroads. Is this absolutely necessary for effective magic? I feel like I’m missing out on something because of this. I’d love your feedback on this topic as it is somewhat related to laying the compass. Thanks!

[@bladeandbroom]

Appreciate the compliment, Chuck! Thanks so much. 😍 Actual crossroads in the physical world are powerful and awesome, but I don't find them 100% absolutely necessary. I love, love, LOVE doing rituals in the forest and on the seashore, and I find those spaces thrumming with power and that liminal wildness we crave. I personally find that we CREATE (or at least, find ourselves standing at) the crossroads of magic when we open the elemental gates. So as long we find some power in our physical location (and aren't distracted by it), I think there are a host of locations that can work in beautiful complement with the energies of Traditional Craft.

[@chuckfriebe843]

@@bladeandbroom wow! What a fantastic reply. That really helps a lot. Keep up the great videos. Be blessed. ✨🧙‍♂️🦌

[@beneyles6217]

how did you make your stang stand upright during the example in the centre?

[@bladeandbroom]

I use a cast iron patio umbrella stand. 😎

[@vivamarie2488]

Love this video! Question, you may have answered this in the video, apologies if I missed it. Ok, circle cast, spell done, now how would a Traditional Witch take down the circle? In Wicca, its Widdershins. Your guidance please? 😊🌟

[@bladeandbroom]

Great question! Since the circle actually functions differently than the compass, many trad crafters don't do anything at all at the end of a ritual to take it down -- as we didn't really consider that we put it up or created it. We just oriented ourselves to it. Not sure if that makes sense, but I highly recommend Ian Chambers book The Witch Compass in order to explore all of that more fully. And I'll probably do another video that talks about the differences between the circle and the compass myself.

[@vivamarie2488]

Thank you! I'll add Ian Chamber's book to my Amazon wish list. 🌞

[@lynnsmith3995]

You hit on a point I struggle with regarding the circle being an area of protection versus the compass being an area to co-exist (if I’m understanding correctly.) I haven’t seen all your posts yet- very interested in how to do appropriate personal protection inside a compass. I always invite the elements to witness my workings but also equate their energies to being like our Indiana 🌪, wild and untamable. What are your thoughts on being protected from spirits and energies inside your compass or which post should I watch please? Thank you!

[@bladeandbroom]

I think different groups or schools of thought approach this in different ways. I have sort of a two pronged approach to this. The first is that I am almost never without some form of personal spiritual protection on my person. I'm my tradition, we make seasonal Witches' ladders for personal protection. So, I'm going to have that when I do ritual -- in addition to my coven cords, which were when with protection as one of their goals. You might devise a talisman or carry an amulet for this -- or use cords/ladders like me. The other piece is that Godds of the tradition (or spirits you call at the quarters, or your personal Familiar) can provide that protection. With my Spirit Allies and my talismanic protections, I feel and have been quite secure in ritual.

[@lynnsmith3995]

@@bladeandbroom Thank you very much for this insight. I’m going to give this a good think. I don’t venerate Godds, so I’m don’t have that option however I could work towards asking ancestors to bless an amulet for this purpose....this might be a great Samhain project. Also want to explore a witch’s ladder. Heard of them but don’t have first hand experience. Again, thanks for your time.

[@bladeandbroom]

@@lynnsmith3995 You're welcome! I do have a video about Witches' ladders. It might help. 🤷‍♀️

[@lynnsmith3995]

@@bladeandbroom I’ll hunt that up- thanks again. I’m new here but am really enjoying the detail you go in to in your videos. I feel like I’m learning quite a lot from your perspectives.

[@foreverseeking1380]

Thank you for sharing with us. Does your stang topper have a built in candle holder or is it just the 2 forks?

[@hedgebeast8930]

Damn, Laurelei just made the compass heller sexy!

[@bladeandbroom]

🤣😂 Bow-chicka-bow-wow 😘

[@hedgebeast8930]

@@bladeandbroom 😂

[@ThaPhantazm]

Is Zeta starting in the East or the North?

[@bladeandbroom]

Oh, good question!! My own answer to it is a little complicated because of the way my tradition lays the compass in accordance with the time of year. In our case, issues of where to start end up being very movable. So, it would be east at Beltane, West at Samhain, North at Imbolc, etc. But if you're working with a more "fixed" system (as most folks are), my suggestion is to start with Zeta in the same place you normally start your circle/compass.

[@angryspoidah9607]

Looked like a little bit of qi gong hand movement with the stang.

[@bladeandbroom]

Interesting observation! It must've been intuitive because I have absolutely no training with qi gong. (But I do have a lot of training with feeling and moving energy!)

[@andrastetriformis6241]

Wiccanish? 😉 Great share!

[@bladeandbroom]

🤣😂 Hey! If Shakespeare can invent words, so can I! And thank you!!

[@TheJlbrown]

Thank you!

[@bladeandbroom]

You're welcome!

[@DanielWilliamsEli85]

You understanding of a Wiccan Circle is a bit shallow, a Wiccan does cast a Circle for protection, but that's not its primarily purpose, it's main purpose is to travel between the worlds, it a sacred space, and a place to raise engery within.

[@Kimmydawn76]

I laugh at your jokes. 🌝

[@bladeandbroom]

I love that about you, sister!