Return to General
Information table of contents.
Q. WHAT IS WITCHCRAFT?
A.
Witchcraft is a Pagan folk-religion that worships life-affirming
deities and the inherent sanctity of Nature. Wicca is the ancient
form of witchcraft which celebrates the balance of life and birth,
growth, and death; the unique beauty of the four seasons -- winter,
summer, spring and autumn; and the energy of the moon's changing
phases from new to full. Witches believe that all that occurs in the
Universe is interconnected and depends on the benevolence of many
Gods and Goddesses. In listening to the wisdom of the Gods, Witches
learn ways to apply spirituality in their daily lives to have a
positive impact on their environment.
Q. WHAT FORM DOES THE
PRACTICE OF WITCHCRAFT TAKE?
A.
Form and context vary from group to group and between each ritual, and
run the
gamut from elaborate ceremony, to spontaneous ritual, to simple
meditation.
Q. HOW DO WITCHES VIEW
THEIR DEITIES?
A. Most view
them as immanent life forces of the
Universe, knowers of all. Though there are many Gods and Goddesses,
each individual worships one or more deities they feel closest to. Some
worship a Goddess only, some a God, and some many divinities for
specific reasons at certain times of the year.
Q. DO ALL WITCHES
WORSHIP THE SAME WAY?
A. Yes and no. Wicca is a highly
individual religion.
The number of different sects within the Craft may give the impression
that no two groups practice the same way. But though particular
practices may vary, most groups share a common core of knowledge and
many similarities, such as the working of magic and a reverence for
Nature. This provides common ground for mutual support and productive
networking throughout the Craft community.
Q. IS WITCHCRAFT A
"CULT"?
A. No. Cults are groups that trade the
promise of
"salvation" or "transcendence" and a sense of belonging for the
sacrifice of the ability
to think for oneself. They indulge in "extravagant homage or adoration"
(see "cult", Webster's Dictionary), usually of an earthly leader. They
are usually based on Christian or New-Age beliefs -- e.g., that the
Earth
and the human body are "fallen", or are merely "vehicles" for the soul
to use and discard. All this is the opposite of the Witchcraft
experience. Most Witches come to the
Craft through reading and communing with Nature and later finding
like-minded groups.
Q. DO WITCHES HAVE A
BIBLE?
A. No. A bible is supposedly the word of a
deity
revealed through a prophet. Witchcraft is ancient beliefs practised as
personal experience. Many Witches keep a "Book of Shadows", an
individual's magical journal meaningful to them, often containing
rituals, discoveries, spells, chants, herb lore, etc. Covens (a group
of Witches) often keep a similar group book documenting their
practices.
Q. DO WITCHES CAST
SPELLS?
A. Yes. A spell is a formula or recipe, a
series of
steps taken to focus and direct a person's will to achieve a desired
end. Energy is drawn from the Witch and Earth, concentrated, and sent
out into the world. Witches believe that what they do returns to them
threefold, so we are very careful about the power we send out.
Q. DO WITCHES FLY ON
BROOMS?
A. No. Brooms were, and are, sometimes
ridden astride
in our ceremonies as a form of sympathetic magic, to coax the grain to
grow. Brooms may be jumped over, to ask the grain to grow as high as
the leap taken. Uninformed observation of such ceremonies has led to
tales of Witches flying on brooms.
Q. DO WITCHES WORSHIP
THE DEVIL?
A. No. The worship of Satan is the
practice of
profaning Christian symbolism, and thus is a Christian heresy, rather
than part of a Pagan religion. Paganism pre-dates the origin of
Christianity. Witches do not believe Satan exists, and have no satanic
equivalent deity.
Q. ARE WITCHES ONLY
WOMEN?
A. No. Traditions vary -- some covens
admit only women,
some only men, and some encourage man/woman couples. A male Witch is
called a Witch, never a warlock.
Q. HOW CAN SOMEONE FIND
OUT MORE ABOUT WITCHCRAFT?
A. Ours is not a missionary religion, nor
do we
proselytize on T.V. or streetcorners. There are many excellent books
and periodicals available, and many Witches teach classes in magic.
There are also national and regional festivals through which a
seeker can make contact with the larger Craft community. A goodly way to find other Witches and gatherings in your area is to visit The Witch's Voice, www.witchvox.org.
Return to top of page.
Return to General
Information table of contents.
Return to Public
Samhain Ritual press release.
Return to Coven
Oldenwilde's home page.
