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tipsycad147 · 3 years ago

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The eight (or nine, or 13) tools of Wicca

by Michelle Gruben

What ritual tools are required to practice Wicca? Theoretically, none at all—as the Witch’s will is the most important tool. But Wiccans, it may be said, rarely travel light. This article looks at the traditional altar tools that are used in the Gardnerian tradition of Wicca.

Gardner's legacy

Gerald Gardner, who first described and named the Wiccan religion, prescribed a list of tools for the Witch. His books and papers talk at length about the acquisition and use of ritual objects. Gardner was influenced in his thinking by Aleister Crowley, English Freemasonry, Solomonic magick, the new field of cultural anthropology, and various myths about European witchcraft.

Though the information in Gardner’s writings is spotty and often contradictory, it has been hugely influential. Many of the Gardnerian tools are found on the altars of both Wiccan and non-Wiccan practitioners. Others, like the scourge and cords, have largely fallen out of use, except in the strictest traditional covens. The descriptions of the tools come from Gardner’s 1954 book Witchcraft Today, and the collection of papers known as the Gardnerian Book of Shadows.

So what are the “true” tools of the Witch? It depend on who you ask. Even within Gardnerian witchcraft, the number, order, and use of the tools varies. But first, a list of the tools of old-school Wicca:

Sword

The Sword is a long knife. It symbolizes power and authority. The sword entered the Craft as a legacy of Western ceremonial magick, where the magician wields a consecrated sword as an implied threat to unruly spirits. The magick sword was traditionally made of the finest smithwork possible, and engraved with Hebrew prayers or magickal glyphs.

Wiccans use the sword to cast a circle. It may also be a symbol of rank within the coven. Gardner says that a chief priestess may wear a sword on her belt when standing in for a priest. (But that no tool enables a priest to stand in for a priestess.)

While the sword is often listed first among the magickal tools, many Witches, including Gardner, say that the sword is not really necessary if you have an athame. Because of the size and cost of a ritual sword, it is common for a coven of Witches to share a single sword.

Athame

The athame is a small (relative to the sword, anyway) knife with a variety of ritual uses. Gardnerian Wiccans prefer a black-handled knife with magickal symbols inscribed on the handle. It is usually double-edged. Both the word “athame” and the black-handle requirement come from the Key of Solomon, a medieval grimoire which was studied by Gardner.

In Wicca, the athame stands for the element of Fire. It is used to cast the circle, charge objects with energy, and to represent the God in a symbolic Great Rite. It is never used for violence. If an athame draws blood, in most traditions, it must be either ritually cleansed or destroyed. Most Witches use the athame purely for magickal/energetic work, and have a separate knife for cutting objects.

Boline

This is the “White Handled Knife” described by Gardner. Sometimes it has a curved blade. Basically, the boline performs cutting tasks on the physical plane, while the athame works on the spiritual/astral planes.

Witches use the boline for magickal-mundane work, including harvesting herbs, cutting cords or parchment, and inscribing ritual candles. Boline is alternately spelled bolline, boleen, or bouline. It is an archaic word related to burin, a carving chisel.

Wand

The wand is the elemental tool of Air (or Fire, in Golden Dawn influenced trads). For Gardner, it is related to the staff of Mercury used to escort souls to the afterlife, and the thyrsus, the pinecone-tipped rod of Dionysus. Witches’ wands are usually made of wood—especially from a tree with magickal significance. It may be personalized by carving or painting. Gardner names few requirements for the magickal wand, except that it be phallic in shape.

Witches use the wand as an elemental tool, for directing energy, and sometimes for casting the circle. The wand is sometimes substituted for the sword or athame by those who object to the violence implied by the blade. Gardner tells us that the wand is used for calling up spirits “to whom it would not be meet to use the sword or athame.” These beings may include Angels (who may be invited, but never commanded) or Fae, who are known to dislike metal.

Pentacle

The pentacle is a round object bearing the five-pointed star, the primary sacred symbol of Wicca. It may also be called the disk, coin, paten, or platter. It represents Earth, and the life-giving properties of that element. In the Gardnerian material, the role of the pentacle is in summoning spirits, consecrating tools, and blessing offerings of food.

Perhaps mindful of Britain’s anti-witchcraft laws, Gardner suggests making a pentacle that can be easily concealed or destroyed if the Witch is discovered. He recommends a pentacle of wax, or else a platter with the magickal symbols painted temporarily in ink. These days, of course, Wiccans may keep a more permanent altar pentacle. Wood, metal, and clay are appropriate materials for the pentacle or Earth disk.

Censer

The censer (and incense) are used to prepare the ritual space. Ritual censing banishes evil, and makes the circle more inviting to spirits and deities of the desired kind.

Wicca came about before the invention of quick-lighting incense. Early British covens would have preferred a traditional swinging censer with a lid, along with resin incenses. But Gardner states that the censer can be replaced, if necessary, with sweet-smelling herbs and a dish of coals.

Cords

The Witch’s cord, or cingulum, is a length of rope that may be worn as a belt. In Wicca, the cords are often given to the new initiate and worn at each subsequent ritual. Along with the athame and the censer, Gardner lists the cords as one of the three tools that must always be present in the Witch’s circle.

The cords are generally braided by hand from natural fibers. The traditional length of the cords is nine feet (three times three, an important number in Wicca.) In some traditions, the color of the cord signifies the Witch’s rank within the coven.

Besides keeping the Witch’s robes in place, the cords have various other uses within Wicca. A nine-foot cord, folded in half, is used to measure out the radius of the nine-foot circle. Knot magick—tying and untying knots to release energy—is another ritual function of the cords.

But let’s get down to brass tacks: Gardner, like many a proper British gentleman, was obviously a little bit into BDSM. The Gardnerian Book of Shadows is full of rituals that involve tying up initiates in circle. The mild, schoolboyish kink of his Wiccan rites is another use of the cords. He also hints that the cords can be used in blood and breath control—a spiritual/erotic practice that can be extremely dangerous when undertaken by beginners.

Obviously, tying up aspirants is not the kind of thing that goes on in public rituals and fluffy-bunny Wiccan covens. Wiccans face enough PR trouble without innuendos of hazing. The Wiccan covens I know who use cords use them for mainly ceremonial dress. The cords are presented to the initiate with each new degree. Over time, they become kind of a souvenir belt, dangling with various tokens of the Witch’s experience and offices within the coven.

Scourge

Ah, the scourge. The ceremonial whip is another of Gardner’s ritual tools that’s sometimes embarrassing to modern Wiccans. The scourge or flail is an age-old symbol of power and domination. In Gardnerian ritual, it represents the pain that everyone must endure in life. It stands in contrast to the kiss, which symbolizes pleasure and the gifts of life.

Maybe Gardner was inspired by the ritual flagellation in mystical branches of the world’s great religions. Or maybe he just wanted an excuse to be tied up and whipped. We’ll probably never know. In any case, the scourge has eight tails with five knots in each tail. It is usually made of leather or rope. The scourge is not used to draw blood, but only for light flogging to raise energy in circle and to purify the aspirant. The scourge is the last item in the canonical list of Gardnerian tools.

Chalice

The chalice symbolizes the eternal womb and the generative power of the Goddess. On the Wiccan altar, it is used to hold beverage offerings. (Traditionally wine, but also water, milk, mead, or ale.) The chalice stands for the female principle in the symbolic enactment of the Great Rite. To Gardner, it is related to the Holy Grail of the Knights Templar, a mystic cup with boundless power to heal and restore.

A core Wiccan ritual involves the High Priest and High Priestess sharing a drink from the chalice, which may also be passed around the circle. A silver chalice is traditional, one large enough to hold the beverage offering.

Cauldron

In the Gardner materials, the words “cauldron” and “chalice” are often used interchangeably. (The cauldron being a Celtic-inflected version of the womb of the Goddess.) Yet many witches keep a ritual cauldron separate from the chalice or cup, and use it in subtlely different ways.

The main advantage of the cauldron is that it can carry heat. It is a dark, warm vessel where alchemical transformations can take place. The cauldron may be used to burn incense, to prepare potions and brews, or to ritually mix spell ingredients. The cauldron can also hold food or drink offerings, or water for scrying.

Besom

A Witch’s broom is called a besom. It is made from a bundle of twigs or straw tied to a handle. In Wicca, the besom is used to purify the circle by sweeping away negativity. It also plays a part in the handfasting ritual of “jumping the broom.”

Bell

The bell is primarily used in Wiccan rituals to focus the participants’ attention. The Gardnerian Book of Shadows prescribes a certain number of knells of the bell for each different ritual. Solitary Wiccans may keep a bell for energetic clearing, meditation, or invoking the Goddess.

Necklace

The necklace is not among the core tools of Wicca, but Gardner mentions it on several occasions as a requirement for the female Witch: “At witch meetings every woman must wear one.” There are many tales of necklaces in world mythology, and depictions of Goddesses who are nude except for a necklace. The circular shape of the necklace is thought to symbolize the eternal cycle of rebirth. The necklace may be decorated with talismans or symbols of rank. But, the material and design of the necklace are unimportant, “as long as it is fairly conspicuous” (Gardner, Witchcraft Today).

So how many tools are in Gardnerian Wicca, again?

According to the “Father of Wicca” himself, there are eight. They are, in order: The sword, athame, boline, wand, pentacle, censer, cords, and scourge. Gardner was almost certainly influenced by Freemasonry, which also has eight tools. Eight was an important number to the Knights Templar, the mystical Christian order which has trickled down into Western esotericism.

But wait! Not all of the tools on Gardner’s list are easy to come by. The poor witch may have to improvise with things found around the house, or do without. Gardner tells us that only three of the Wiccan tools are really essential for ritual: The athame, the censer, and the cords. These three, “and one or two other tools are quite enough to work with.” The other five are used only occasionally.

More troubles with the eight: The sword is often conflated with the athame. Why have both if they’re basically the same? Then there’s the whole issue of the vanishing pentacle. (Now it’s a pentacle, now it’s a biscuit tray. Move along, Inquisition—there’s nothing to see here.) Gardner never really explains how a Witch can have a set of ritually consecrated tools and regularly grab stand-ins from the kitchen or hearthside.

A handful of Gardnerian tools—the wand, pentacle, and sword/athame—are recognizable as three of the “elemental weapons” of the Golden Dawn traditions. But there is a conspicuous absence: We have three different knives (and a wand and a scourge), but no chalice, the elemental tool of Water.

So where is the chalice in Gardner’s list? Gardner claims his source was a secret cabal of hereditary Witches, and that he doesn’t know why the chalice was omitted. Perhaps it is a holdover from the Burning Times, when Witches were afraid to have a cup lest they be accused of parodying the Eucharist. (Goddess knows how they drank their daily ale.) Gardnerian rituals make extensive use of the chalice, but it doesn’t make the list.

Wiccan groups deal with the omission in different ways. The Alexandrian tradition (which is similar to Gardnerian), solves the problem by substituting the chalice for the censer in their list of eight. Alexandrians burn just as much incense as anyone, of course. But the poor censer is demoted to the rank of “altar dressing.” One Gardnerian coven I know just adds the cauldron/chalice to Gardner’s list—bringing the total number of tools up to nine. (An elegant solution, I believe, since nine is a sacred number in Wicca.)

What about the outer circle of tools: the besom, bell, and necklace? Though these show up repeatedly in Gardnerian rituals, they are not ��officially” tools of the Witch, and are not presented to the initiate as such. Instead, they are objects that Witches use in ritual. We also don’t count the Book of Shadows, which is not a tool of ritual, but a tool used in preparation for ritual. Okay. I’m as stumped as you are.

In conclusion, there are eight, or nine, or thirteen tools (and tool-adjacent objects) in Gardnerian Wicca. Unless you are a male Witch. Then you don’t get a necklace, so there are twelve at most. And if you are setting up at Pagan Pride Day, best to cross the scourge off the list. And probably the sword. Maybe count the tablecloth and iPhone speakers, instead?

I’m not trying to make fun of Gardnerians here. (Except for one or two—you know who you are.) It’s just an example of the way traditions evolve and change over time. You’re no less a “real Witch” if you’re allergic to incense, or think ritual flogging is kind of silly. Whatever path you follow, build a collection of tools that resonate with what you feel is magickal.

https://www.groveandgrotto.com/blogs/articles/the-eight-or-nine-or-13-tools-of-wicca

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secret-diary-of-an-fa · 6 years ago

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The Leading Ladies of Sci-Fi

I think it’s about time I ended the current cycle of me complaining about Doctor Who and how the casting of Jodie Whittaker isn’t genuine progress but a cheap gimmick designed to appeal to the gullible and the terminally stupid... like literally all gender-flipping nonsense since the dawn of sci-fi. And what better way to end a months-long stream of uninterrupted invective than by saying “fuck it” and ending on a positive note. People laud Whittaker because of how important female representation in sci-fi and fantasy is. So I thought I’d list some sci-fi and fantasy shows and films with female leads that are actually good, aren’t merely gender-flipped de-imaginings of properties that already existed and don’t merely exist to pander to the lowest common denominator of easily-pleased tosspots. So, without further ado, here are Secret-Diary’s Top Ten Woman-lead Sci-Fi and Fantasy Things.

1. Fringe I mention Fringe quite a lot and- guess what!- I intend to keep banging this particular drum until you all either listen or go deaf. Fringe is fucking great. It stars a competent, complex lady FBI agent who teams up with a mad, LSD-fueled scientist to solve crimes committed using fringe scientific phenomena (hence the title). As it develops, it turns into a drama about a cold war between parallel universes and then a not-so-called war with the future itself. It’s surreal, funny, dramatic, often-demented (there’s one episode with singing corpses) and the best part is that it’s over, which means that you know it’s not going to be completely fucking ruined by network interference at some point in the future.

2. The Aliens series One day, archeologists will look back on our era and assume that Sigourney Weaver was literally the Queen of All Nerds and ruled with an iron fist. That’s how firmly the original Alien films cemented her place in cultural history. Ellen Rippley (Weaver’s character) is a one-woman anti-xenomorph army with a heart of gold and a willingness to risk her life for cats. She’s a badarse and I will fight anyone who doesn’t think she’s awesome. The more recent films in the Alien universe have continued the tradition of having female lead protagonists, which isn’t just good representation but also thematically appropriate considering the subject matter that the franchise often wrestles with.

3. Lucy This is one of those films that came out, showed off the kind of ambitious storytelling that can be achieved with a mid-range budget, showcased a brilliant female lead, injected original ideas in the sci-fi genre and was then promptly forgotten about by everyone. It concerns a woman who develops super-intelligence and then gradually becomes a higher lifeform after taking a heroic quantity of drugs and that’s all I’m going to tell you because you deserve to experience it without spoilers. Go watch it, and you’re very fucking welcome.

4. The Cell No, stop right there. I fucking liked The Cell and I’m not listening to anyone’s moaning about it today. I know the plot makes no sense and the director’s understanding of the psychopathic mind is basically non-existent, but the characters are all likeable and it serves as a perfect visual meditation on the archetypes to be found lurking in the human psyche (even if the director didn’t understand them). And, of course, your guide through the oh-so-zany world of The Cell happens to be a lady-person, so have some free representation with your rambling quasi-arthouse nonsense.

5. Buffy the Vampire Slayer Lumbered with a title that has lead literally millions of non-nerds to assume that it’s nothing but wank-fodder for goth-geeks, Buffy is actually a breath of fresh air once it gets going. And yes, I’m aware it took three seasons to get going. But the point is, it’s charming, eccentric and endearing in a way that most people don’t realise. And yes, I realise it’s not sci-fi or fantasy but supernatural drama, but I’m including it anyway ‘cause it’s all part of the same family of genres.

6. Sapphire and Steel Technically a joint male-and-female lead, but I’m including it because it’s ridiculously obscure and you all deserve to know it exists. It concerns to entities who embody elements from the periodic table of elements who materialise at very points in Earth history to deal with spooky, unsettling space-time anomalies and creep everyone out with their not-quite-human affect. One of them is played by Joanna Lumley, because it’s a British thing from the seventies or eighties and she got basically everywhere on UK telly back then. It’s basically Doctor Who for grown-ups and it will fuck your brain into a puddle of existentially terrified goo and leave it on the roadside. It’s amazing. Go watch it.

7. Mirrormask An early effort from Neil Gaiman (yes, they occasionally let him make whole movies) starring a traumatised teenage girl, a whole lot of superbly creepy paper-and-ink creatures, and an evil queen. It defies all description and deserves to be viewed for that reason alone.

8. Labyrinth The eighties were a very, very weird time. This is one of the things they gave us. If you don’t know what it is or why it’s on this list, I’m not sure I can help you.

9. Wonder Woman Yes, I know I’m cheating with the genres again, but that Wonder Woman film was genuinely fucking great. Also, I still find it funny that they chose to cast Gal Gadot in the role.

10. Aeon Flux Weird as fuck live adaptation of a Japanese import. I can’t even begin to describe the premise of Aeon Flux or any of the things that happen in it, because I’d sound like I’d necked a bunch of hallucinogens and gone on a vision-quest. All I’ll tell you about it is that it’s absolutely jam-packed with ideas and stars a very woman with deadly, prehensile feet.

Right, that’s the main list. Honourable mentions go the film Ultraviolet (the one from the early 2000s, not the thing that showed up on Netflix recently), the Resident Evil films (which only didn’t make the final list because they’re very male gaze-y), season 4 of Black Mirror (which randomly decided to focus mainly on female leads, instead of the even mix that defined previous series- it’s not on the final list because it doesn’t center on one single character. And also it isn’t as good as previous series) and The X-Files (Agent Skully, ably played by Gillian Anderson was always given equal billing alongside Moulder- it just didn’t make the list because you’ve all already heard of it). Given time, I could probably think of more to add, because sci-fi and genre fiction are deep, complicated mineshafts filled with gems that most people overlook. But I’ve given you enough to get on with for now. Stop reading this, and go watch those.

#Secret Diary of a Fat Admirer #sci-fi shows #TV shows you should be watching #films you should be watching #Lucy #Aeon Flux #Sapphire and Steel #Fringe #etc

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2traveldads-blog · 7 years ago

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Disneyland with kids is amazing. It might sound silly but when we first found out that we were going to be dads one of the very first thoughts that went through my head was “ hooray! Someday we could to take our kid to Disneyland!” If you’re planning a trip to Disneyland or already have one on the books doing Disneyland with kids is one of the most special memories you’ll ever make.

So what do you do on your first trip to Disneyland with kids? Well, there are rides you’ll do and then there are characters you’ll meet, but there’s more to it. We’re going to share our favorite attractions to do with toddlers and with big kids as well as the easiest options for family fun in both Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure, but we’ll start with the original.

Prepping for Disneyland with kids

If you haven’t read it yet go check out our article on planning and prepping for a trip to Disneyland with kids. Basically you want to decide ahead of time what the most important experiences to you are (fireworks, parades…) as well as make sure you got your dad toolbox ready, AKA your backpack of supplies and the Disneyland app.

What to bring into the park:

smartphone with a great camera (love the Pixel!)

lots of simple snacks ready at a moment’s notice

your own stash of wipes and paper towels

light jackets for everyone (even rain ponchos)

the Disneyland app loaded onto your phone

sunblock and hats

As long as you have the supplies with you the rest of the day is going to be a breeze. Seriously, the backpack/app combo is totally the ultimate Disney dad toolbox.

Disneyland’s FastPASS system

Disneyland uses the FASTPASS system which means that you can scan your entry ticket at different stations to get a pass for a shorter wait time for an attraction later in the day. If you want to leverage the system, go for it, but know that you can have just as much fun without it. If you’re using FASTPASSes, start your day by getting passes for what is most important to you to ensure that you’ll get to do that ride that day.

Tip: pay close attention to the time stamps on your FASTPASSes as they both say when you can return AND when your next FASTPASS will be available to get.

Disneyland Guide Land by Land

The Disneyland Resort has two parks (you probably know): Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure. If you’re going to do only one, Disneyland with kids is the way to go. It has a great balance of attractions for really young guests as well as adults.

Tomorrowland Guide

Tomorrowland is a great place to start if you’re an adult. The main attraction being Space Mountain, it’s the perfect launch to a day. Bigger kids like Tomorrowland for its Star Wars theme attractions, from Star Tours to Jedi Training, the Star Wars Launch Bay to the Path of the Jedi. Who knows how this will all change when the newest addition to Disneyland opens in 2019: Star Wars Land.

For smaller kids though, you’ve got three really fun attractions: Finding Nemo Submarines, Autopia, and Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters. Oh, and the Astro Orbiter… but that’ll make you nauseous.

Planning tip: hit Space Mountain and Finding Nemo first thing in morning or at the end of your day. The lines are super short if you’re there within the first hour of the Park being open.

Characters to meet

The highlight in Tomorrowland is within the Star Wars Launch Bay. Here you’ll be able to meet Chewbacca, Storm Troopers, and of course, Darth Vader. There are queues within the Launch Bay, but the atmosphere and Star Wars displays are pretty cool and you won’t mind waiting.

Fantasyland with Kids

Enter through the castle, just do it. We just did Disneyland with kids and I’ll tell you straight up, Fantasyland made the whole trip worth it. Here’s the big disclaimer though: not all of the rides in Fantasyland will be a hit with all ages. From a kid’s perspective Pinocchio, Snow White and Mr Toad’s Wild Ride are all strangely creepy. There was a fair amount of screaming.

Having said that, Peter Pan’s Flight, King Arthur’s Carrousel, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Alice in Wonderland and the Mad Tea Party were amazing with the kids.

Time saving tips: walking through Sleeping Beauty Castle is fast and easy and is a great way to occupy time if nobody has the patience to wait for lines. Also, the Storybook Land Canal Boats and Casey Jr’s Circus Train cover the same territory. Pick one and nobody will be the wiser if the other is skipped.

Feel special: if you ride King Arthur’s Carousel, ask the cast members at the attraction to point you towards the carousel horse named Jingles. This was Mary Poppins’ horse and is specially painted with her emblems.

Characters to meet

The characters we have most commonly met over the years, and this holds true today, are Alice and the Mad Hatter. They wander continually and are really spacey… always perfectly in character. This also makes is tricky to get a great pic with them because they’re genuinely distracted by EVERYTHING else. That’s okay though, the kids loved meeting them.

Pixie Hollow is also right by Sleeping Beauty’s Castle, so meeting Tinkerbell is a breeze. To snap pics with the many Princesses, you’ll have to stop by the Fantasy Faire just outside of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle. They may also be wandering about, but there is a queue and process for a guaranteed Meet and Greet.

Tip: some kids need a buffer between them and characters. Ask if your kids want to be right next to these oddly familiar faces before they freak out.

Frontierland in the afternoon

There’s not a ton to Frontierland so if you’ve got only one day, don’t linger here. Big Thunder Mountain is the prime attraction to hit up and it really is awesome. It’s my personal favorite rollercoaster within Disneyland. The other main attraction of Frontierland is the Rivers of America where you can relax by the water, get on the water on the Mark Twain Riverboat, and explore Tom Sawyer Island.

Note: big changes are happening in Disneyland right now including revamping the Island and areas on the backside of the Rivers of America. Know that access to much of Frontierland’s space is limited while the Park undergoes updates and the addition of Star Wars Land.

Fronteirland is great for dining when you do Disneyland with kids. From the outdoor vendors with snacks to the restaurants, you’ll have lots of options and plenty of seating.

Top picks for dining in Frontierland: Rancho del Zocalo, Stage Door Cafe – both have simple menus and are easy with kids. Rancho del Zocalo has lots of seating, but the Stage Door Cafe does not. It’s a grab-and-go sort of place.

Characters to meet

There aren’t too many characters that roam through Frontierland, but Woody and Jessie are almost always a guarantee here or over in California Adventure by Toy Story Mania, and often Pocahontas winds her way around the river bend. The cool thing about Frontierland and its cast is actually the cowboys. If you’re lucky enough to catch one, the cowboy stand-up comics and shows are awesome and hilarious.

Adventureland: best spot in Disneyland with kids

Adventureland has long been our favorite place in Disneyland. Indiana Jones Adventure was the first scary ride I ever did as a kid, and now it’s one of my favorites as an adult. If you’re doing Disneyland with kids though, if they’re pretty young you may need to skip this one, because it’s a whole lot more thrilling than just a simple roller coaster. If the littles are daredevils though, let them check it out.

The best things about Adventureland though are the mellow attractions that are good for any age. If you’ve never done the Jungle Cruise with a toddler, you have to; it’s hilarious and so exciting for them. Tarzan’s Tree House is also a hit. Tarzan is one of our kids’ favorite movies, so getting to go through the tree house and see Tarzan and Jane and the animals, it was one of their favorite experiences in the Park.

Tip: the Jungle Cruise at night is really fun, so be sure to hit it both during the day and after dark.

Lastly, the Enchanted Tiki Room and its ridiculously cheezy singing birds and flowers is a must. We hung out in the Tiki courtyard before the show, watching all of the gods moving and talking. Then going in and actually watching the show, the kids were totally in awe.

Characters to meet

Moana. Seriously. Meeting Moana was at the top of our bucket list for Disneyland with kids and it was really perfect. They were dumbfounded when they saw her and they had so many questions. It was unforgettable.

New Orleans Square relaxation

On a hot day sitting on a bench by a fountain in New Orleans Square is just ideal. It’s one of the more calm and quiet areas of Disneyland and when you’ve got wild children, it totally mellows them out. The tighter street area of the Square is beautiful and a slice right out of NOLA, but for the relaxation, grab some beignets and sit until the grand old trees. This is one of the spots to let the smallest visitors grab a nap if needed, which can be important to maintain a happy time.

The attractions of New Orleans Square are all about chillin’ out too. Pirates of the Caribbean has a little thrill with two small drops (and you sometimes get wet, soaked), but for the most part is just a mellow boat ride everybody enjoys.

Note: even kids who love pirates might be spooked when face to face with them, FYI.

The Haunted Mansion is the other big attraction. It’s again, nice and mellow, but also children might be creeped out. It’s best during fall and winter when it’s set up as Haunted Mansion Holiday. Jack Skelington and the crew from the Nightmare Before Christmas take it over and it’s awesome! It’s fun with haunted jingle bells playing and all kinds of Halloweentown stuff. It’s one of the reasons we want to do Disneyland with kids next Christmas.

Characters to meet

Depending on the day of the week there may not be anybody to spot, but if you’re lucky a band of pirates might stroll through, including Captain Jack Sparrow. Also, this last trip we spotted Princess Tiana and Dr Facilier from the Princess and the Frog… because it takes place in New Orleans.

Tip: also watch for Princess Tiana and Dr Facilier also hanging out on the decks of the Mark Twain when it’s docked in Frontierland (close to New Orleans Square). And what’s more New Orleans than a beautiful old riverboat?

Critter Country fun

At the very end of Disneyland things get rustic. That’s where you’ll find Splash Mountain and the Winnie the Pooh ride. Pooh is cute and colorful and silly. It’s great for little kids and adults that have a soft spot for cute things. It’s a must if you’re with a child.

Note: Once upon a time the Country Bear Jamboree was where the Winnie the Pooh ride is. If you’re quick and know where to look, you can spot the talking taxidermy heads within the ride near the end, but you have to turn around and lean forward and break your neck to see them.

Splash Mountain is the big ticket item though. For all of the cute, singing animals within the old mountain there is plenty of thrill and creep-factor. Yes, you will get wet. Yes, there is a double drop in the dark. Yes, there is an ominous chorus or terror and despair before you take the big plunge. It’s all in good fun though and if you’ve got a brave kiddo, go for it. We took our oldest and he refuses to say he enjoyed any part of it… but he totally did. Ahh, Disneyland with kids…

Tip: this is a spot to get a FASTPASS, for sure. If it’s a rainy day, chances are the lines will be swift, but on a hot sunny summer day you’ll be so glad you got the shorter queue.

Characters to meet

They’ve created a really great setup to do a meet and greet with Pooh, Tigger and Eeyore. There is one queue to meet all three, much like meeting the Princesses. When it rains, they just shift the queue to be undercover at Pooh Corner and you still get to hug them all.

The other folks to watch for in Critter Country are Briar Bear and Briar Fox. They’re not always around, but when they are they like to roam and stop for pictures. They’re hilarious and act like doofy guys when you pose with them, so know that little kids might not be all up for a hug.

Tip: if you haven’t grabbed a Disney PhotoPASS card by the time you’re in Critter Country, get one from the cast members working with Pooh and friends. It’s a cool way to capture professional photos all around the park. Also, PhotoPASS cast members can help you by using your own camera to take pictures of your with characters and such, so leverage them.

Mickey’s Toontown (if you have the time)

On beyond It’s a Small World is Toon Town. I will say that it’s the coolest place and is visually amazing. You’re literally walking around in a cartoon world. There are some attractions in Toontown that kids may enjoy, including Gadget’s Go-Coaster and Roger Rabbit’s Cartoon Spin, but the purpose of Toontown really is just being in such a whimsical place… and to meet Mickey Mouse.

Note: Toontown typically closes earlier than the rest of the Park, so if Disneyland with kids includes a visit here, check what time the land closes that day.

Characters to meet

This is why we enjoy Toon Town. Mickey Mouse, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, Daisy, Pluto… you can meet all of them here in Toon Town. Mickey and Minnie’s houses aren’t just funny places to walk through and explore, but it’s where you’ll actually find them and meet them. Mickey’s house is extra cool with his Movie Barn out back. You actually get to meet him on set, and who knows what costume he’ll be wearing.

Note: DON’T SPOIL DISNEY MAGIC by telling your kids that fuzzy characters aren’t real or how Mickey Mouse’s house works. Let them figure it out. It’s half the fun of Disneyland with kids.

First time meeting Mickey Mouse…

2nd time meeting Mickey Mouse

Hopefully our family guide to Disneyland with kids is helpful and you feel confident visiting the Happiest Place on Earth. Keeping realistic expectations about what you’ll be able to do and see in the Park is key to enjoying your time there with minimal stress. As an adult, you’ll have a nostalgic blast. As a parent, you’ll see Disneyland in a new way: through the eyes of your kids. You’ll love it and and your kids won’t forget the awesome time they had.

Want to pin it for your own Disneyland planning? Go for it!

Dads in Disneyland: family guide to fun inside the Happiest Place on Earth Disneyland with kids is amazing. It might sound silly but when we first found out that we were going to be dads one of the very first thoughts that went through my head was “ hooray!

#disney vacation #disneyland #family travel #travel planning

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tipsycad147 · 5 years ago

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The eight (or nine, or 13) tools of Wicca

Posted by Michelle Gruben on May 25, 2017

Gardner's legacy

Sword

The Sword is a long knife. It symbolises power and authority. The sword entered the Craft as a legacy of Western ceremonial magick, where the magician wields a consecrated sword as an implied threat to unruly spirits. The magick sword was traditionally made of the finest smithwork possible, and engraved with Hebrew prayers or magickal glyphs.

Athame

Boline

Wand

The wand is the elemental tool of Air (or Fire, in Golden Dawn influenced trads). For Gardner, it is related to the staff of Mercury used to escort souls to the afterlife, and the thyrsus, the pinecone-tipped rod of Dionysus. Witches’ wands are usually made of wood—especially from a tree with magickal significance. It may be personalised by carving or painting. Gardner names few requirements for the magickal wand, except that it be phallic in shape.

Pentacle

Censer

The censer (and incense) are used to prepare the ritual space. Ritual censing banishes evil, and makes the circle more inviting to spirits and deities of the desired kind.

Cords

The cords are generally braided by hand from natural fibres. The traditional length of the cords is nine feet (three times three, an important number in Wicca.) In some traditions, the colour of the cord signifies the Witch’s rank within the coven.

Scourge

Chalice

The chalice symbolises the eternal womb and the generative power of the Goddess. On the Wiccan altar, it is used to hold beverage offerings. (Traditionally wine, but also water, milk, mead, or ale.) The chalice stands for the female principle in the symbolic enactment of the Great Rite. To Gardner, it is related to the Holy Grail of the Knights Templar, a mystic cup with boundless power to heal and restore.

Cauldron

Besom

Bell

Necklace

The necklace is not among the core tools of Wicca, but Gardner mentions it on several occasions as a requirement for the female Witch: “At witch meetings every woman must wear one.” There are many tales of necklaces in world mythology, and depictions of Goddesses who are nude except for a necklace. The circular shape of the necklace is thought to symbolise the eternal cycle of rebirth. The necklace may be decorated with talismans or symbols of rank. But, the material and design of the necklace are unimportant, “as long as it is fairly conspicuous” (Gardner, Witchcraft Today).

So how many tools are in Gardnerian Wicca, again?

What about the outer circle of tools: the besom, bell, and necklace? Though these show up repeatedly in Gardnerian rituals, they are not “officially” tools of the Witch, and are not presented to the initiate as such. Instead, they are objects that Witches use in ritual. We also don’t count the Book of Shadows, which is not a tool of ritual, but a tool used in preparation for ritual. Okay. I’m as stumped as you are.

https://www.groveandgrotto.com/blogs/articles/the-eight-or-nine-or-13-tools-of-wicca

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