Glossary - exWitch Australia (formerly 'Born Again Pagan')

WATCHERS (aka Guardians of the Watchtowers)

Calling the Four Quarters
as performed by
my old Coven,
'Circle of the Mystic Moon'
(photo digitally altered
to protect the privacy
of the individual)

In the Stellar Mythos the Watchers were gods who guarded the Heavens and the Earth. Their nature; as well as their "rank," was altered by the successive Lunar and Solar Cults which replaced the Stellar Cults. Eventually the Greeks reduced them to the Gods of the four winds.

In the early Stellar Cults of Mesopotamia there were four "royal" Stars (known as Lords) which were called the Watchers.

Each one of these Stars "ruled" over one of the four cardinal points common to astrology. This particular system would date from approximately 3000 BC.

The Star Aldebaran, when it marked the Vernal Equinox, held the position of Watcher of the East. Regulus, marking the Summer Solstice, was Watcher of the South. Antares, marking the Autumn Equinox, was Watcher of the West Fomalhaut, marking the Winter Solstice; was Watcher of the North.

The Names of the Watchers are invoked and asked "to be present" in the Casting of a Magick Circle in most Traditions of Wicca and many forms of Neo-Paganism and Ceremonial Magick.

In general terms, their function is to watch and guard the Magick Circle. Traditional witchcraft does not utilize the terms 'Watchers' or 'Watchtowers', but does call for guardians. These guardians, depending on the Path or Tradition one follows in Neo-Paganism are regarded as either angels, ancestors, elementals or (in some Paths and Traditions) whatever form you want to see them as.

It is interesting to note that occultist Richard Cavendish, in his book The Powers of Evil, "lists the Watchers as the Fallen Angels that magicians call forth in ceremonial magick". This remark is especially noteworthy when one considers Wiccan author Raven Grimassi's comments concerning "the relationship that exists between a Wiccan and the Watchers".

Grimassi points out that "every act of Magick that a Wiccan performs is observed and noted by the Watchers". Furthermore, he says, "There is a definite link between the 'powers' of a Wiccan and their rapport with the Watchers". But since the God of the Bible clearly prohibits Magick, is it likely that these "Watchers" should be thought of as good spirits (in-as-much as they oppose the ordinance of God)?

RESOURCES FROM OTHER CHRISTIAN SITES:
(Opens in a New Window)
WICCA: A BIBLICAL CRITIQUE at Probe Ministries

PLEASE NOTE:
One of the major problems with 'defining' Paganism and/or its beliefs and practices is that it is an 'organic' movement, in that it is undergoing constant change and re-evaluation from within, and as such any 'one-size-fits-all' approach to understanding Paganism will be found wanting.

Due to the very 'organic' nature of Paganism, and the many differing Paths and Traditions within it, in many cases no one definition may be universally accepted by all Pagans. Therefore, where such cases of possible conflicting and/or contradictory meanings of certain terms occur I have endevoured to give not only the generally accepted meaning, but also any major 'variations' in belief and/or practice.

Christians who believe this difference in meaning of certain key terms, beliefs and practices to be unique to Paganism need to remember that such conflicts also arise within the Body of Christ - the Church. Take for instance the differing practices amongst Christians concerning Baptism and the different attitudes towards women in the clergy.

- Jean-Luc