What Wicca Is and Is Not
What Wicca Is and Is Not
1.What Wicca Is
Wicca is a Neo-Pagan religion with many traditions that date to pre-Christian (and prehistoric) Earth religions. It is based on a deep respect for nature and the certain knowledge that we do not have the right to exploit it for our own gain. Wiccans are deeply concerned with conservation and ecology, and as in all Neo-Pagan religions, Wiccans believe that both animate and inanimate objects possess a spirit which forms part of the Whole. Note that we do not use the term "spirit" in the Judeo-Christian sense of a "ghost," but rather that essence which every object possesses that links it to nature and makes it an inalienable part of the universe.
What Wicca Is
Wicca is a Neo-Pagan religion with many traditions that date to pre-Christian (and prehistoric) Earth religions. It is based on a deep respect for nature and the certain knowledge that we do not have the right to exploit it for our own gain. Wiccans are deeply concerned with conservation and ecology, and as in all Neo-Pagan religions, Wiccans believe that both animate and inanimate objects possess a spirit which forms part of the Whole. Note that we do not use the term "spirit" in the Judeo-Christian sense of a "ghost," but rather that essence which every object possesses that links it to nature and makes it an inalienable part of the universe.
Wicca is a celebration of the life-forces of nature as personified by the Goddess and her consort, the God.
Wicca may includes the practice of magic which is defined as the process of causing change through the focusing of our natural powers. It is important to note that magic is natural. There is nothing supernatural about it. We use certain tools such as spells, visualization, chants, candles, amulets and meditation to help us focus our power, but the power comes from within -- it is not in the tools. Our ancestors knew how to use it effectively, but it is a largely forgotten art in modern times.
What Wicca is Not
Wicca is not a cult. A cult presupposes blind faith in a central figure whose every word is regarded as ultimate truth, and the utter conviction that no other way or philosophy will lead to this truth. You would be very hard pressed to find a Wiccan anywhere who would blindly follow anyone else. Wiccans are historically very independent people who seek truth from within through rituals, meditation, magic, study and communion with nature. Wiccans respect the right of everyone to worship in their own way. We do not feel that Wicca is the only way -- only that it is our way.
Wicca is not synonymous with Satan worship. The very concept of a supreme evil spirit is alien to Wicca. In fact, most Wiccans do not even believe in Satan. The devil is a Judeo-Christian construct and as such, it has nothing to do with Wicca. The notion that witches worship Satan was propounded by the Roman Catholic Church as it made its way across Europe, in an effort to suppress the native earth-based religions prevalent at the time. They succeeded to the extent that they drove the practitioners of these religions underground where much of their knowledge and traditions were lost. Through the work of the Golden Dawn, as well as anthropological and archeological research, many of these traditions have been rediscovered and incorporated into Neo-Paganism, an umbrella term for most modern earth-based and shamanistic religions.
Wicca does not include flying on brooms. Mostly, witches drive cars or ride bikes, although I have often wished for a flying broom when I'm caught in rush-hour traffic. My own little 15-year-old witch gets around on skates quite well, and although she sometimes seems to fly, she seldom gets more than an inch or two off the ground. There are many rituals which include brooms, however, and these may be the source of the flying-broomstick stories. In parts of Europe, some people run across their fields astride a broom to coax the grain to grow. They may also jump over a broom handle asking the grain to grow as high as their highest leap. It is also common for a ceremonial broom to be used to sweep away negative forces from any area one wishes to cleanse.
Wicca is a celebration of the life-forces of nature as personified by the Goddess and her consort, the God.
Wicca may includes the practice of magic which is defined as the process of causing change through the focusing of our natural powers. It is important to note that magic is natural. There is nothing supernatural about it. We use certain tools such as spells, visualization, chants, candles, amulets and meditation to help us focus our power, but the power comes from within -- it is not in the tools. Our ancestors knew how to use it effectively, but it is a largely forgotten art in modern times.
<
1. We practice rites to attune ourselves with the natural rhythm of life forces marked by the phases of the Moon and the seasonal Quarters and Cross Quarters.
To be a witch is to love and be loved.
To be a witch is to know everything, and nothing at all.
To be a witch is tochange the world around you and yourself.
To be a witch is to share and give, while receiving all the while.
To be a witch is to dance and sing, and hold hands with the universe.
To be a witch is to honor the gods, and yourself.
To be a witch is to BE magick, not just perform it.
To be a witch is to be honorable,or nothing at all.
To be a witch is to accept others who are not.
To be a witch is to know what you feel is right and good.
To be a witch is to harm none.
To be a wtich is to know the ways of the old.
To be a witch is to see beyond the barriers.
To be a witch is to follow the moon.
To be a witch is to be one with the gods.
To be a witch is to study and to learn.
To be a witch is to be the teacher and the student.
To be a witch is to acknowledge the truth.
To be a witch is to live with the Earth, not just in it.
To be a witch is to truly free!
1. Know Yourself
Ten Things About Wicca
Ten Things About Wicca
Wiccans have no insecure compulsion to convert everyone to their way of thinking. People come to Wiccan when and if they are ready r interested. Furthermore, you are not required to accept or do anything that you are not comfortable with.
Out of all the creatures of this Earth, only humans are forced to live under unnatural moral codes. Wiccans believe simply -
"An It Harm None, Do As Ye Will".
Wiccans believe we are here to learn and to progress, not suffer eternal damnation if we "slip-up" in someone else's eyes.
There is no such thing as being the "right" race, color, gender, sexual orientation, national or ethic origin to be Wiccan means ALL are welcome.
Once you know all of the basics, you can be your own "minister" or "priest", you need never bow before (or rely upon) some religious dictator for spiritual guidance, you go straight to the source.
By sharing a common interest with others in Wicca, you do not lose your identity as an individual. You are unique and can and should stay that way without becoming a blob in a homogeneous mass.
Wiccans are not forbidden from reading, learning, eating, drinkin, or saying anything. You can actually even disagree with someone without being "excommunicated".
NO!! Not money, but knowledge. The Craft has always and will always, be an experimental religion. If it works, we use it. Then we share it so that all in the Craft may benefit.
Wiccans DO NOT believe that their path is "The One and Only Path". The only "Ture" path is the one that works best for you. All paths are valid as long as they Harm None.
Wicca allows you to truly feel your own power, if you will, and a true sense of self. You are "allowed" to be the best person that you wish to be with all of the love and support that you can possibly hope for. Wicca allows you to take your hopes, dreams, and most heart"s desires and manifest them in this reality. All is possible. All is real.
Magick
Magick
Even to the masses, Witchcraft as always been associated with Magick. Magick -- be it spells, mojo, talisman, etc. -- is an important part of the Craft. It allows us to improve our lives and return energy to our Earth.
Not to be confused with the pulling-rabbits-out-of-hats magic, magick is a symbolic act that focuses energy. Magick has nothing to do with the "supernatural." Magick is simply the art of getting results (Margot Adler).
Although magick appears to some to be nonsensical, it operates along its own rules and logic. Simply because it isn't fully understood doesn't mean that it doesn't exist. Magick is effective in causing manifestation of needed change (Scott Cunningham).
Magick does not, however, get you out of doing any work, but it will give you want you need to do it.
To cast a spell is to project energy through a symbol. It's similar to a prayer but more proactive. You want something, but instead of just talking about it, you are willing to work with the energy of the Universe to make it happen.
All spell work requires is solid intent, concentrated focus and the ability to channel energy toward the specific direction of your wishes. (Dorothy Morrison).
There are three main sources of this energy: personal power, Earth power and Divine power. Personal power is the life force that sustains our Earthly existence. Earth power is that which resides within our planet and its natural products (such has herbs and crystals). Both personal and Earth power are manifestations of Divine power, the energy which exists within the Goddess and God, the source of universal power which has created everything in existence. (Scott Cunningham).
Wiccans invoke the Goddess and God to bless their magick with power. Magick is a process in which Wiccans work in harmony with universal power (Divine power) as well as personal and Earth energies to improve our lives and lend energy to the Earth. Magick is a method whereby the individual takes control of their life (Scott Cunningham).
he practice of magick demands the development of "Magical Will": honesty, self-discipline, commitment and conviction (Starhawk). Magick has the best chance of success when strong emotions are involved; the more you want it, the better chance of success.
Spell work should be done within the bounds of sacred space, usually a circle. This isn't so much to keep the bad energies out (although that is a nice side effect) but to keep the energy you are raising in until you choose to release it into the Universe to do your bidding.
The more specific your spell, the better chance for success (Don't just ask for money, but rather for the specific amount needed, no more, no less). As the Wiccan Rede says, spells should be spoken in rhyme. Some prefer free verse, but rhyming may help you remember your spell and spoken spells, rather than those read, tend to have better success rates.
It is believed that many factors can affect the success rate of a spell. In order to gain an advantage so to speak, many witches make sure to choose the prime time and best ingredients for their magick by consulting corespondent charts to find out what day of the week, planetary hour, moon phase, color, herb, gemstone, etc. are best suited for the type of work they are planning to do.
Spells can be as simple as chanting a few words or as complicated as setting up a full ritual complete with herbs, candles, incense and gemstones, making talismans and other magickal workings. The choice is yours. Check out our Spells section to see what other Witches are doing.
One not of importance. The Wicca Rede plays a huge part in spell work. Harm none - including yourself - when doing spell work. If you intend to do magickal working for another, make sure you have his or her permission first.
Wiccans don't perform destructive, manipulative or explotive magick. Because they recognize that the power at work in magick is ultimately derived from the Goddess and God, negative workings are taboo. "Evil" magick is an insult to themselves, the human race, the Earth, the Goddess and God and the universe itself (Scott Cunningham).