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The Llewellyn Encyclopedia

Term: sword

DEFINITIONS

Sword: Less useful, but still necessary for high magic or theurgy that involves chaotic spirits, is the sword. This is similar in its functioning to the wand, but whereas the wand has a neutral nature, the sword is overtly offensive, projecting power to dominate and hurt. It is supposed to be made by the Magus, but I hazard to say that not one in a thousand occultists who possesses the magic sword has actually fashioned the blade by hand. It is considered acceptable to procure a short sword, or long knife, and after thoroughly purifying it, consecrate it by anointing and prayer to its magical purpose. I use an old British army bayonet myself, which is shaped as a sword, hilt and all, and find it effective—perhaps especially so due to its military associations.
source: Truth about Ritual Magic, Donald Tyson

Sword: A tool used in many Wiccan/Witchcraft traditions to cast ritual and magickal circles. The sword is also employed in rituals of initiation by the challenger or guardian. In many traditions the sword is a symbol of the God and it is often assigned to the High Priest as a token of his office.
source: Encyclopedia of Wicca & Witchcraft, by Raven Grimassi


ARTICLES

Review of the Tarot of the Silicon Dawn
Summary:  The Tarot of the Silicon Dawn stretches the very bounds of Tarot by swapping elemental associations, adding entire suits (but of only a few cards), mixing Roman and Arabic numerals with the Majors, adding strangely named new Major ...
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Review of the I Ching: Dead Moon Oracle Deck
Summary The I Ching is, for some, an elegantly clear oracle. For others, it is maddeningly enigmatic. I Ching: Dead Moon is a stunning deck that combines the pure symbols of the I Ching with evocative and inspiring imagery. In-Depth Review This ...
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Review of the Michelangelo Tarot Deck
Summary The Michelangelo Tarot makes spectacular use of Michelangelo's techniques and body of work to create a stunning deck faithful to the Rider-Waite-Smith model. It is a beautiful and readable deck for anyone who loves the works of this ...
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Review of the Favole Tarot
Summary  Much sought after in the US because of its beauty, the Favole Tarot is a unique Marseilles-style deck. Adding to its gothic aesthetic are the creative suits: butterflies, masks, flowers, and crosses. Vampires, clowns, Witches, and ...
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Review of The Enochian Tarot
Summary: Not a beginners deck, the energy and passion in the art, combined with a unique focus on the Enochian system that only loosely—very loosely—follows standard Tarot protocols, make this deck a powerful addition to any magickian’s toolkit, ...
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Magical Mottos of the Golden Dawn
Dr. W. W. Westcott: Sapere Aude — "Dare to be wise"                                                 Non Omnis Moriar — "I shall not wholly die" S. L. MacGregor Mathers: 'S Rioghail Mo Dhream — "Royal is my ...
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Review of Fire Tarot
Summary The Fire Tarot is a fascinating study of a single element through seventy-eight different lenses. How does fire express itself in myth, in our spiritual lives and sacred moments, in our emotions, and in the world around us? This ...
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The Sensual Wicca TarotReview
Summary: A brilliant attempt to present the Tarot, Wicca, and the Wiccan aspects of sexuality that doesn’t quite succeed due to limitations of format and skill. Still, at times this deck soars above the limitations and is filled with brilliance and ...
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Meditation
Meditation is: An emptying of the mind of all thoughts and "chatter" often by concentration only on the slow inhalation and exhalation of breath and is characterized by slow alpha and theta waves. It induces relaxation and a "clean slate" ...
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Basic Instruments of Ritual
The basic framework of Western magic is made up of a few surprisingly simple instruments that function on the astral plane (another way of saying in the imagination). Usually they have their material correspondents. As the physical instrument is ...
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Herb Magic’s Darkest Hours
It isn’t until Christianity began to stamp out all remaining traces of pre-Christian practices that herb magic began to suffer a decline. Centuries-old practices were suddenly condemned by a Church that had grown frightened of persons with power. ...
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Whatever your background is, it's bound to happen to you: the scary paranormal case. We're not talking about your run-of-the-mill haunting here. We're talking portal hauntings, negative entities, and bad earthbound spirits—in a nutshell, things that scare us! These cases usually start out as a seemingly routine investigation; then, somewhere... read this article
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