The Rules and Guidelines of Braucherei
by Silver RavenWolf
Braucherei (Pow-Wow) actually has very few rules. If we study the system and its practitioners over the last 300 years, we learn that the practice was often solitary, eclectic, environmentally and culturally driven. There was no single one right way to practice and the methods and procedures used were as varied as the individuals employing them. There are, however, two vital rules to the practice and they are:
1. The practitioner must believe.
2. Everything must be done in sequences of three.
For example, all chants charms and methods must be done at least three times, times three, multiplied by three. I know it sounds a little confusing. Every charm or chant must be vocalized a total of nine times, on three different occasions, which equals any charm or chant being said a total of twenty-seven times. This can vary, for example, when mixing chants and charms, the numbers can change. Therefore, this is only a general rule. Let’s continue on with just a few more commonalities of the system, each representing a vital piece of the Braucherei puzzle.
The following common practices are not necessarily rules, but can be found in almost every working. They are:
1. The practice of stating the individual’s full name before beginning a session, whether it be for yourself or someone else. It is common, for women, to use both married and maiden surnames.
2. The practice of deep breathing before a session. Three breaths are vital, nine better.
3. The practice of telling the client to concentrate on their religious deity. Often, it is suggested they close their eyes to focus more intently.
4. The practice of whispering all chants or charms when there is any chance of being overheard. This is an absolute must, especially around unbelievers or those who may not feel comfortable with some of the charm derivations.
5. The practice of short breaths after each charm — the blowing of white spirit light or God/dess into the body. Some do it after every stanza, others wait until after all nine repetitions as they are concentrating on building the power and the inserting of breath, especially when learning, can ruin your focus. These short breaths can turn into a magickal sound of your own. If that occurs, do not be surprised. Let the sound flow uninhibited (just don’t scare the heck out of the client — wailing would be unacceptable).
6. The practice of sealing the work by drawing a sigil or equal-armed cross in the air with the right or left thumb (whichever hand is dominant).
7. The practice of washing one’s hands after a working, some insist on doing this under running water, where others will have a bowl of clean water nearby so they don’t have to leave the client, and
8. The practitioner cannot take the credit for the result, either way. That’s why they call it trying. You can only try — the healing is up to the client and their belief.
If we dig deeply, we find the Braucherei system relies on the following foundation:
To Believe
To Think (Visualize)
To Take Action/Feel
To Be Silent
Sound familiar?
An integral part of the Braucherei system is the various chants and charms garnered from non-religious as well as religious sources. Most of the chants and charms used in Pow-Wow system are not lengthy for the ease of remembrance and repetition. Although planning is lovely in magick, Pow-Wow is meant to be a system that can be used any time, anywhere, for anyone. Hence, you will find few tools necessary, and in many cases YOU are the only tool required.
