The [eight pointed asterisk] sign on the Athame is said to represent, among other things, the Eight Paths which all lead to the Center and the Eight Ways of Making magic, and these are:
- Meditation or concentration.
- Chants, Spells, Invocations. Invoking the Goddess, etc.
- Projection of the Astral Body, or Trance.
- Incense, Drugs, Wine, etc. Any potion which aids to release the Spirit.
- Dancing
- Blood control. Use of the Cords.
- The Scourge.
- The Great Rite.
You can combine many of these ways to produce more power.
To practice the Art successfully, you need the following five things:
- Intention. You must have the absolute will to succeed, the firm belief that you can do so and the determination to win through against all obstacles.
- Preparation. You must be properly prepared.
- Invocation. The Mighty Ones must be invoked.
- Consecration. The Circle must be properly cast and consecrated and you must have properly consecrated tools.
- Purification. You must be purified.
Hence there are 5 things necessary before you can start, and then 8 Paths or Ways leading to the Centre. For instance, you can combine 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 together in one rite; or 4, 6 and 7 together with 1 and 2, or with 3 perhaps. The more ways you can combine, the more power you produce.
It is not meet to make offering of less than two score lashes to the Goddess, for here be a mystery. The fortunate numbers be 3, 7, 9 and thrice 7 which be 21. And these numbers total two score, so a less perfect or fortunate number would not be a perfect prayer. Also the Fivefold Salute be 5, yet it be 8 kisses; for there be 2 feet, 2 knees and 2 breasts. And five times 8 be two score. Also there be 8 Working Tools and the Pentacle be 5; and five eights be two score.
(Note: 8 plus 5 equals 13. 8 multipled by 5 equals 40.)
NOTES
- Published in Janet & Stewart Farrar's The Witches' Way. They say it comes from GBG's BOS (Text B and Text C)
