Witches' Pyramid: The Four Pillars

Bubbling cauldrons, old hags with warts stirring while cackling and calling forth unknown forces. Thanks to the movies of old, this is how most view witches. With the Wicca religion reborn and growing stronger, that is no longer the case. Now and days, those who practice Wicca can be your next door neighbor or your local store clerk. Most of us know the phrases "Do Whilt Thy Will but Harm None" and "Blessed Be" as well as their philosophies. Spells, incantations and the like including items used can easily be found and purchased on the internet. But there is something deeper that those who practice Wicca follow and that is the Witch's Pyramid also known as the Four Pillars. This article introduces these principals and these ideals can be used by anyone to help bring a deeper understanding to one's life as well as a sense of balance. These ideas were brought to fruition through the Way of the Goddess by Warren Clarke. The pillars are actually qualities that are to be developed from within one who practices Wicca. These pillars are:

To Know: As in ceremonial magic. One values knowledge as everything learned is only a part of a larger puzzle. This includes knowledge and understanding of the gods and goddesses and not just by "book learning", but through personal experience; thus it means use. This pillar corresponds to the element of Air, which represents reason, intellect, intuition and wisdom.

To Dare: Be willing to take risks, not go in blindly and without thought. To approach a task boldly, be willing to face mysteries to investigate and experience as well as embrace the mysteries that surround one. This pillar corresponds with the element of Water, which represents courage, emotions and one's heart.

To Will: A deep and heartfelt belief, "If you do not believe you can succeed, you will not succeed". But one should not shy away from opposition of beliefs, but understand and believe what is in your heart. This pillar corresponds to the element of Fire, which represents discipline, one's skills, concentration and drive.

To be Silent: Magic is a gift, thus one should not "brag" or "threaten" others concerning the use of magic. Further magic will lose its potency when spoken aloud to others after the spell or incantation has been preformed. This pillar corresponds with the element of Earth, which represents cleansing and grounding of one's mind.

There is another pillar that is often not represented, but is important nonetheless in order to bring the other four pillars in harmony and put everything into balance and that pillar is:

To Go: A spiritual journey to discover and to involve and invoke the gods and goddesses. Through this journey one finds balance.

One can see that these pillars can be used in one's daily life to help maintain balance.