Kublis: The Filipino Magickal Tradition Kublis comes from the word Kubli, meaning hidden.

Kublis is the collection of the Hidden Practices of Filipinos. It was structured for solitaries. Now don't think that this tradition is ANCIENT, for it is not. The practices inc orporated into this tradition are the ancient objects here. Now if you will ask, who is considered the founder of Kublis? The answer is , No one. Kublis was not founded by anyone. Even though there are people who contrib uted to it's birth, they do not considered themselves as founders. There is no l eader, no priestess or priest for it is for solitaries. And I don't really see i t as a tradition, for only one generation practiced it, mine. Now what's the difference between Kublis and Traditional Wicca? Traditional Wicca focuses mainly on European agricultural myths, while Kublis fo cuses on Filipino agricultural myths. The seasons observed in Kublis relates to us. Can you relate well to a Yule Ritual? While you chant a passage about the w orld wrapped in snow? Is there snow in the Philipines? Paglamig, or the Kublis Yule Klaraw, celebrates the coming of winter Filipino st yle. It's easy to relate with Klaraws. Next, Kublis does not prohibit harmful magick. Wait, before me what kind of tradition is this, let me tell you that it t it does not encourage harmful magick. Why? Because magick ite, for both exist in nature. But of course, we accept the Fold law. you email me to tell does not prohibit bu is both black and wh doctrine of The Ten-

Well this is just an overview, you will find more information in the following p ages. Some Beliefs of Kublis The following is taken from Salamangca de Paham. This will out line most of the beliefs of Kublis and their meanings.

"Tayo ay bahagi ng Kataastaasan Kapangyarihan" (We are part of the Divine) It means that there is a spark of the Goddess in each of us. We have the power t o map and change the outcome of our lives.

"Ginawa ng Diosa ang bawat isa sa ating na Bukod tangi" ( The Goddess made each of us unique) Each of us is different in one way or another. That is why each should create hi s own rituals for Klaraws. Each has his own views of the mysteries.

"Ang kapangyarihang ay handog ng Diosa, ito ay ating gamitin"

( Power is a gift from the Goddess, Let us use it) We should use this power to make our lives better.

" Makinig sa anas ng Diosa, at matuto" ( Listen to the whisper of the Goddess and learn) We believe that the goddess talks to use through our minds. When you have a prob lem listen closely, a voice will tell you to do. While you are strolling around in the garden, open your mind. The goddess might whisper to you the virtues of certain plants and you will learn.

"Kung ano ang binigay, siya ring tatangapin" ( What you give, you will also get) It is the Kublian version of "What ye send forth comes back to thee"

"Tayo ay mabubuhay, mamamatay at muling mabubuhay" ( We will live, die and be reborn) Kublis believes in reincarnation.

" Walang kulay ang Magica. Pagiging Negra o Blanca nito ay nasa kamay ng Pantas" ( Magick has no color, for it to be Black or White depends on the hands of the P antas) Unlike mainstream Wicca, Kublis does not prohibit Black magic. We believe that a good magician has the power to practice dark and white magick. We believe in ba lance and Black magick balances White magick. But still Kublis advices all to us e black magick as the last resource and warns that the wrong use of dark magicks will result in a very bad situation. The Klaraws The Klaraws or Sabbats detail the life of the Goddess and God and the turning of the Agricultural Year. There are eight Klaraws, each showing a great part of th e life of the Deities. In Kublis, the Klaraws are time of festivity and meditation. During this time we honor the passing of nature and the goodness of the Gods. There is a difference between Mainstream Wiccan Sabbats and those of Kublis. The Klaraws are more attuned with the Philippines' passing season. The original Sab bats are focused on the agricultural myths and year of the Europeans. Being in t he other side of the globe, we cannot fully relate to their meanings. To give yo u examples:

Most Yule rituals are asking you to add some snow to your ritual and to go take a walk along the icy roads. The Philippines is near the equator, so snow does no t fall here. That means snow is out of the question. Midsummer falls exactly upon the rainy season here in the Philippines, so the su n is literally not on it's summit. So there are really some adjustments we should make in order to practice Wiccan Sabbats in the Philippines. The eight Klaraws have different alterations in symbology. I thank again Mr. Ton y Perez for the names which I utilized. The Kublian Calendar starts with Paglamig (circa Dec. 21). The Sun God is born f rom the Mother Goddess. The weather slowly begins to get colder and the nights a re long. Unlike what most say, Paglamig or Yule in english is not a parody of Ch ristmas. The Church only used the date at 273 C.E. (Common Era, the non-religiou s equivalent of B.C.). Here all Pantas celebrate the birth of the God and rejoic e in his coming. Pagliwanag (Feb. 2) is the time when the Goddess has recovered from her sleep. T he young God delights in the bounty of nature. The light slowly comes back and t he earth rejoices. Pag-Init (March 21) is when the darkness of night and the light of day become eq ual. The God roams the earth and delights in it's abundance. The Goddess has ful ly recovered from her giving of birth. In Pagbinhi (April 30), the Goddess and God unite to bring forth fertility upon the earth. Here in the Philippines, the crops are being planted in all parts of the country. It is traditional upon the Pagbinhi rite to call upon the Deities to bless the years crops. Pag-ulan (June 21) is when the Goddess and God sends forth their waters of life upon the earth. Midsummer in Europe, it is the beginning of the rainy season in the Philippines. It is also traditional to collect rain water which is associate d with fertility and to use it in spells. This is also a classical time for spel ls for all sorts. In Pag-ani (Aug. 1) the first harvest appears upon the earth. We thank the Gods for blessing the crops and thank them for their love. As the first crops appear, the God also weakens. The Goddess also is sad, but she feels the presence of th e God within her womb. Paglagas (Sept. 21) is the time when the last harvest is taken. The God has grow n weak and the Goddess is at his side mourning. But the God and Goddess knows th at the God should sacrifice himself, otherwise we will die. Kublis honors the go odness of the Lord and Lady and thanks them for their unending love. The God dies at Paggunita (Oct. 31), but it is not farewell forever. He is takin g a short journey into the Summerlands and awaits his birth at Paglamig. Here we honor our dead ancestors, who paved way for our generation. After Paggunita comes Paglamig and the Wheel turns again. There are questions regarding this myth. Why is the Goddess the Lover and Mother of the God? Isn't this incest? Yes, it may seem like incest, but this is the wa y how our forefathers saw the agricultural year. We cannot question them, for we did not create them.

The Tools of Kublis When I started with Wicca, I was just didn't feel well. When I read all the publ ished material, I found I cannot adjust to most of the practices. I was then in burden. After some years I found out that I was wrong. I don't need to adjust, i ts my religion that needs to do that. That's one of my reasons on why I created Kublis. One of the things I just can't complete is the tools that are needed to practice Wicca. Even though I tried so hard to complete them, I just couldn't. Even if t he books stated that the tools are never really that necessary, I can't help mys elf from thinking that I couldn't call myself Wiccan if I didn't have them. So here is the product, Tools that are very Filipino in taste. I tried so hard t o still incorporate the traditional Wiccan symbols of each tool, but most of the m just don't fit the structure of Kublis. Most of the tools are made from wood. This makes them very earth-based. And that is the real aim of Wicca and Kublis, to be one with the ever-changing earth. (Sorry, I haven't taken pictures of my tools yet. Don't worry I will place pictu res in the very near future.) The Talim- This is the Filipino version of the Athame. It is a knifelike tool us ed in directing energy inside the circle. In Kublis, it is often made from wood. It need not be sharp but it should be black. My Talim is a wooden dagger from B aguio City, which I bought for the low price of 25Php, that's about 5 cents. It is black in color and has a Carved Bulol or God Statue at it's hilt tip. The Baton- Used for calling the goddess and god. In kublis, it is the representa tion of the fire element. It can be just a straight piece of wood or an elaborat ely carved pole. The Kalis- this is the symbol of the water element. It is used to carry the ritu al drink imbibed during rituals. I recommend you using a bamboo joint (like I do ) for your Kalis. If you cannot obtain a bamboo joint for any reason, you can st ill use the traditional Chalice. I saw a beautifully carved wooden chalice at a department store in manila. It is about 250Php. The Pentakulo- in English it means pentacle. This is the pentacle of Kublis. On it is engraved the Pentagramo, which is a five pointed star. Often, it also has the sun symbgol incorporated upon the pentagram and it is usually made from wood . It symbolizes the earth element. The Batingaw- this bell is a tool for cleansing. Sounds are energy waves that ca n be utilized to cleanse an environment. A Kublian ritual will never start witho ut throughout banishing of bad vibes! The Palayok- as the name implies, it is a palayok or clay bowl. It represents th e womb of the goddess, from where all life is born. It is where we brew our medi cines, it is therefore a symbol of life and health. It is also where we brew our poisons and therefore a symbol of death. We should remember Holda, who takes al l her gifts from her cauldron. When I was just beginning with Wicca, I found it hard to find a cauldron, and so I satisfied myself with a palayok. A cauldron ma y also be utilized. This is only a small list of tools and shows only the basics. When you begin tak ing your own path and when you begin serving a particular deity, you will be add

ing more and more tools to your list. A babaylan or priest of Kalmista, the god of magick, may own a Talim des Anito, a Magick Candle and a Bottle for keeping g oofer (graveyard) dust. It varies.