On Banishing & Binding Karas Myr 2013 Cover Art by Sir Costas
Introduction This is a difficult class to teach, because some of the concepts that are taught could easily be adapted to baneful purposes. Therefore, I am including two sets of moral guidelines for working magick: "The Laws of the Wicca" and the "Rede of the Wicca". You can choose to follow these guidelines or not, it is up to you; but I at least want to make an effort to provide a moral framework for using these techniques before turning people loose upon the world! The Laws of the Wicca 1 ( Version) The Laws were created and ordained of old, and were established on truth and undeviating justice; all things are manifest within them. Let all give due worship unto the God & Goddess, and obey their will as ordained through perfect love and perfect trust; for the Laws were made for the benefit of man as the gods loveth him. It is ordained that the Circle, which is the sacred temple of God & Goddess, be duely cast and consecrated that it may be a fit place for the gods to enter. 1
It is further ordained that all who enter the Circle be properly prepared and purified that they might enter the presence of the Eternal Ones. Let all who would enter the Circle do so in perfect love and perfect trust, for in this way only can they raise the Cone of Power through which the gods may manifest. Let it also be known that unless man speaketh to the gods from his heart of truth he mayest not have communion with them. Be it further known that the gods cannot help man without the help of man. It is neither meet nor right that a man sit idle and expect the Lord & Lady to see to his affairs; for he must labor in his own behalf to earn divine aid. It is ordained that none shall see or partake of our sacred rites, and that the Covenant of the Mysteries shall be celebrated in secret. It is further ordained that none shall reveal the names of the Coven, its members, rites, or location to any outsider under full penalty of the Laws and Oath. Regarding the Book of Shadows, there shall be one copy only, and that copy shall be in the hand of its keeper. None save the one whose Book it is should know of its existence and upon the "crossing over" the Book should be passed on to blood kin or given to the flames. Each shall guard his own writing and destroy it whenever danger threatens. Learn as much as you may by heart, and when the danger is past rewrite your Book if it be safe. 2
Likewise, keep the Working Tools secret. Let them be as ordinary things that any may have in their household. Let all Pentacles be of wax or earth that they may easily be broken at once. Have only one Sword for the Coven, and it shall have no graven names or signs or anything upon it. In regards to the consecration of items, write the names and signs on in ink before consecrating them so that they may be easily washed off later. A Wax Pentacle Never boast, never threaten, never say you would wish ill to anyone. Do what thou wilt, an harm ye none, save in defense of thyself or loved ones. Help one another, love one another, teach one another. Love is the law, love under will. Let all Witches keep the Laws unto their every letter, never to break them in the least, no matter how great the temptation; nor ever consent to their being broken by another. Be it further ordained that if ye have knowledge of the Laws being broken by someone, it is your sacred duty to work against them. The Art and Craft are sacred and must never be debased by using them for show, pride, or vain glory. The Craft is for the benefit of mankind and must always be used to that end. Those who use the Craft or Art for negative purposes will pay a three fold debt to the Lords of Karma. 3
Herewith follow the ancient laws which were set forth as a guide for the brethren. It is our sacred duty to observe these laws, for by and through them are we brought into harmony with the universe as true children of the God & Goddess, the inheritors of the Kingdom of Light, and our sacred Summerland. 1. Take not the life of thy fellow man, nor that of any living creature or thing save that it truly serve to sustain thy life. 2. Seek not to obtain that which is not rightfully yours and accept only that which is your just due. 3. Honor thy parents as it is just and due unto them, for it was ordained by the Lords of Karma that they should bring forth thy life. 4. Take not a partner in marriage unless the divine spark of love burns between you, and be ye also prepared to nourish love as though it were a sacred flame upon the Altar of the Eternal Ones. 5. Let thy words be as sacred oaths unto thy fellow man, for deceit is an abomination before the gods. 6. Help one another, love one another, teach one another as ye are so loved by the Lord & Lady. 7. Confess thy faults to no man, for only the God & Goddess can grant pardon or offer guidance. 8. Judge no man for his seeming faults, nor degrade him before others, for judgment is the province of the gods. 9. Make not sacrifices of flesh and blood for man hath no right to destroy that which he cannot create. 10. Let all the Brethren observe the Feasts of Remembrance, drink the nectars of fruits, and eat the meal cakes in honor of the God & Goddess as was ordained of old. 11. Seek not to call forth the Mighty Dead, the Elementals, or the Nature Spirits, save that it be in the service of the God & Goddess. 4
The Rede of the Wicca 2 Being known as the counsel of the Wise Ones: Bide the Wiccan Laws ye must in perfect love and perfect trust. Live and let live fairly take and fairly give. Cast the Circle thrice about to keep all evil spirits out. To bind the spell every time, let the spell be spake in rhyme. Soft of eye and light of touch speak little, listen much. Deosil go by the waxing moon sing and dance the Wiccan Rune. Widdershins go when the moon doth wane, and the werewolf howls by the dread wolfsbane. When the Lady's moon is new, kiss thy hand to her times two. When the moon rides at her peak, then your heart's desire seek. Heed the Northwind's mighty gale lock the door and drop the sail. When the wind comes from the South, love will kiss thee on the mouth. When the wind blows from the East, expect the new and set the feast. When the West wind blows over thee, departed spirits restless be. Nine woods in the cauldron go, burn them quick and burn them slow. Elder be ye Lady's tree burn it not or cursed ye'ii be. When the Wheel begins to turn let the Beltane fires burn. When the Wheel has turned to Yule, light the log and let Pan rule. Heed ye flower, bush, and tree by the Lady blessed be. Where the rippling waters go, cast a stone and truth ye'll know. When ye have a need, hearken not to other's greed. With the fool no season spend or be counted as his friend. Merry meet and merry part bright the cheeks and warm the heart. Mind the threefold law ye should three times bad and three times good. When misfortune is enow, wear the blue star on thy brow. True in love ever be, unless thy lover's false to thee. Eight words ye Wiccan Rede fulfill An' it harm none, do what ye will! 5
Banish - verb (used with object) On Banishing 1. to expel from or relegate to a country or place by authoritative decree; condemn to exile: He was banished to Devil's Island. 2. to compel to depart; send, drive, or put away. When to use - This is useful for getting rid of unwanted influences or energies. Example - A house is tainted with negative energies from prior occupants. Banish those energies from the premises. When not to use - Banishing is not really useful on people or entities because both can "return" once you, "the authority", are no longer there to prevent them from doing so. Unless you are actively going to enforce your banishment by making sure your commands and edicts are obeyed, banishment is not the right option for sentient beings or spirits. Example 1 - A House is haunted by a spirit and you banish it. Once you leave, there is nothing to stop it from returning. Example 2 - Your grandmother has cancer and you banish it. While that may provide temporary results, there is still the chance that it will return. 6
On Binding Bind - verb (used with object) 1. to fasten or secure with a band or bond. 2. to encircle with a band or ligature: She bound her hair with a ribbon. 3. to swathe or bandage (often followed by up): to bind up one's wounds. 4. to fasten around; fix in place by girding: They bound his hands behind him. 5. to tie up (anything, as sheaves of grain). When to use - Anytime you want to prevent someone from harming themselves or others, or any time you want to stop an adverse effect. Binding can be used to restrict, harness, or lock up a person, spirit, energy, or thought form for a period of time or for all time. Example 1 - A co-worker is causing problems at work. Bind them so they can't any longer. Example 2 - A dark, chaotic, and malevolent spirit is terrifying your child. Lock it away or bind it to something inanimate forever. (This is one way to make a dark artifact like the one mentioned below, so make sure you know what to do with the artifact once you make it!) When not to use - Anytime you are going to be binding someone or something for unethical or immoral reasons. 7
Exorcise - verb (used with object) On Exorcising 1. to seek to expel (an evil spirit) by adjuration or religious or solemn ceremonies: to exorcise a demon. 2. to free (a person, place, etc.) of evil spirits or malignant influences. When to use - This is used to forcefully remove a person or spirit from someone's life, dwelling, or body, and keep them gone! Example - Regan was possessed by Azazel. An exorcism was required to separate Azazel from Regan. Note - An exorcism is ALWAYS performed with the help of a powerful spirit or deity, and it is critical that that spirit or deity be either asked or commanded to make sure the exorcised person or spirit not return. The spirit or deity enforces the separation. Always make sure to request or command enforcement at the end of the exorcism, otherwise the entity may return. When not to use - Exorcism is the final tool to try when all others have failed. While it can be used to expel a living person from someone's life, make sure you realize that physical harm can come to the exorcised person should they try to return; because the power that was invoked to perform the exorcism, may kill the exorcised person to enforce the exorcism. Also, keep in mind that many times spirits are trying to be helpful, but their intentions are misunderstood and their actions may seem scary. Make certain the entity is indeed malevolent or you could be getting rid of a helpful spirit that may be trying to warn you about something or may be preventing something far worse from getting to you. 8
Extirpate - verb (used with object) On Extirpating 1. to reduce (an object) to useless fragments, a useless form, or remains, as by rending, burning, or dissolving; injure beyond repair or renewal; demolish; ruin; annihilate. 2. to put an end to; extinguish. 3. to kill; slay. 4. to render ineffective or useless; nullify; neutralize; invalidate. 5. to defeat completely. When to use - Anytime you are trying to heal a disease or malady caused by a living organism, such as influenza or some other virus. Anytime you need to completely eliminate someone or something, although eliminating someone usually carries with it Karmic repercussions, unless done in defense of one's life or one's family. Example 1 - Your grandmother has cancer and you want to destroy it. Example 2 - A Dark Artifact is being used by your ex-wife to wreak havoc in your life. It must be destroyed! When not to use - Anytime doubt exists. If it is not absolutely required or if questions remain about its moral or ethical implications, don't do it. Note - Keep in mind that energy cannot be destroyed; only changed. If you kill a person's body, their spirit may still haunt you. If you break the evil artifact, the energy that powered the artifact still has to go somewhere; and if it isn't dispersed properly during extirpation, something else may become the new vessel for that energy possessed pet anyone? On a positive note, I have never been haunted by the ghosts of dead bacteria, germs or viruses. That said, let's hope they're not out there waiting for me, biding their time... 9
Abrogate - verb (used with object), On Abrogating 1. to abolish by formal or official means; annul by an authoritative act; repeal: to abrogate a law. 2. to put aside; put an end to. 3. to reverse a banishing or binding spell. Make sure you can reverse your work! When to use - Sometimes situations or people change. Sometimes you find you ve made a grievous mistake and shouldn t have bound or banished a particular person or thing. When this occurs it is customary and appropriate to undo the work you have done. The process of abrogating a working can sometimes be far more difficult than the working itself. Remember - Always work for a mundane resolution before working Magick! 1 This is just one example of a set of Traditional Laws. These Laws were passed to me in 1989 by Robert Landry aka Alethia. For this class, I have removed some content not appropriate to the forum in which the study group operates, such as the sections dealing with disciplinary actions within a coven. A complete copy of the original document can be provided upon request. 2 The 'Rede of the Wicca' was published in the 1975 Spring Equinox edition of "Green Egg" (Vol. III #69) It was written by Lady Gwen Thompson s grandmother, Adriana Porter, and passed to her in the early part of her life. The Rede was copywritten back in the `70's as was the rest of her Book. She was the founder of the N.E.C.T.W. (New England Coven of Traditionalist Witches). She passed away in 1986 and has left a living Tradition with members scattered throughout the US. Theitic is the keeper of the histories and of much of Gwen's materials. 10