The home web site of the Traditional Craft Association

So some kept the flame, that was used to light all others, another looked at stone temples, another at air or weather and the fourth group concentrated on water, healing wells, keeping water supplies fresh and finding underground water.. We do not believe that each of these worked in isolation but came together for the major projects, and very many of the healing skills use a combination of elements.

The fifth element spirit is in different beliefs often related to crossing water paths, or magnetic or other powers within the earth, often represented as a spiral, or dragon or as the path to allow communication or contact with the god(s). We think it was due to the water witches divining and therefore by the use of this they were able to suggest where temples were placed on special energy flow lines, that they become the advisers to all groups and therefore the water took on the role as the senior element.

Within the association we divide our membership by the four primary elements, water, fire, earth, and air. This allows individuals or organizations to add the most to the group, and for inter-working of groups for particular purposes. All groups and individuals will continue to use all elements.

Christian groups may sometimes have some difficulties in relating to the elements but use candles which is a composite of all four elements in one item. For classification purposes we classify Christian groups like angel groups within the air classification, as they historically look up to their god and heaven. Druid orders are usually classified under earth, due to the image of them being connected with stone circles although most pre-date druidic influences and Druids have more connection with/through trees. Fryske and other groups that look to the Oera Linda book for their history under the element fire.

For the scientific minded amongst you, elements are not considered like atoms, components that a thing is constructed of but as an element that is required or can be used to communicate with the spirit. You do not require all four to be combined for all purposes. Many old knowledge areas such as herbalist cures are based upon classifying plants by element associations, some obvious like a plant that has a hot taste or is bright red with fire and a cool taste, or blue color with water. Many plants, insects, animals and fish show different colors, or have different other ways of telling all others that they are dangerous or helpful.

Magic we see as just what science has not yet explained, and much that was considered a part of magic some years ago is now a part of science. Similarly some of the cures of the witch doctor or country cures, fell out of favor but more recently science has identified the working constituents and in pill form they have come back into use again. Craft skills are largely on the border line between what other scientists except and magic, in that often we know why they work and can control the results, although we might not wish to show it to others or be able to run it according to a double blind test, using people untrained in craft skills. For some areas of magic to work, belief is an important part, while for others it has no impact.

Within the association groups, we have encouraged the reclassification of all craft skills under new age labels such as hypnotherapy, aromatherapy, massage, and eastern types that have become more visible. This has several advantages including a standard classification, and name for skills across different groups and the opportunity for group members to gain more or wider skills by attending other courses in these topics. It has also meant that often we have had to decide what is the main part of a composite treatment and define which treatments work together to create greater effect. We still however end up with a small amount that cannot be classified, so we classify these as traditional.

The larger article previously here, defining different groups and craft skills for many, as well as defining what is involved in many craft skills has been removed from this site. Most of the material on craft skills will be rewritten and updated and added to the 'school of witchcraft' site.

This is the site of the Traditional Craft Association, bringing together the craft of old, to serve mankind.

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