To our family and friends,

You are probably aware of our distaste for "urban legends"--misinformation that gets repeated until it becomes such common knowledge that most people no longer question it. Recently, we have become aware of an even worse collection of misinformation, based on lies that were purposefully spread for over 1500 years. It is our hope that by sharing the truth in these matters, we can begin to bring the real truths to light. This information is about Pagans, the neo-pagan movement, and Wicca.

I'm sure that as soon as you read the term "pagan", you immediately pictured scenes of devil worshipers dressing in black robes, performing human sacrifices and other atrocities. That's not surprising--you are responding the way that Christians have been conditioned to respond ever since the Roman Empire adopted Christianity in the 4th century. Let's begin to set the record straight.

Long before the beginning of Christianity, many separate and diverse cultures such as the ancient Egyptians, Pre-historic Celts, Anglo-Saxons, and Norsemen, all developed surprising similar religious beliefs. These beliefs were based not on particular texts or teachings, but on the flow of nature around them: the change of the seasons, lifecycles of animals and plants, and the cycles of the moon, tide, and heavens. These were tangible components of their world, and all the proof they required of a divine power. All these nature-based beliefs and cultures can correctly be characterized as "pagan".

For some modern people, the "rediscovery" of these pagan concepts has provided a new sense of spirituality. For these neo-pagans, there is generally not a well-documented set of rituals, or predefined set of beliefs. Many, if not most, of the old rites have been lost. But the basis for these beliefs, the elements, seasons, and power of nature, remains as accessible as ever.

One particular branch of the neo-pagan movement is Wicca. The Wiccan path is one that people are encouraged to come to on their own terms, following what feels right to them. Consequently, Witches (as the practitioners of Wicca call themselves) are a very diverse group, and can be hard to generalize. Some Witches are members of groups ("covens"), while some prefer a solitary practice. By and large, their nature-based rituals and ceremonies are a reconstruction of those performed by Celtic and European Witches of old.

In order to help dispel the misinformation about them, representatives from over 70 different traditions of Wicca got together some years ago to outline the tenets of their faith. The document they produced does a wonderful job of explaining itself:

Principles of the Wiccan Belief:

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.
   
2. We recognize that our intelligence gives us a unique responsibility toward our environment. We seek to live in harmony with Nature, in ecological balance offering fulfillment to life and consciousness within an evolutionary concept.
   
3. We acknowledge a depth of power far greater than that apparent to the average person. Because it is far greater than ordinary it is sometimes called "supernatural", but we see it as lying within that which is naturally potential to all.
   
4. We conceive of the Creative Power in the universe as manifesting through polarity-as masculine and feminine-and that this same Creative Power lies in all people, and functions through the interaction of the masculine and feminine. We value neither (gender) above the other, knowing each to be supportive to the other.
   
5. We recognize both outer worlds and inner, of psychological, worlds sometimes known as the Spiritual World, the Collective Unconscious, Inner Planes, etc.-and we see in the inter-action of these two dimensions the basis for paranormal phenomena and magickal exercises. We neglect neither dimension for the other, seeing both as necessary for our fulfillment.
   
6. We do not recognize any authoritarian hierarchy, but do honor those who teach, respect those who share their greater knowledge and wisdom, and acknowledge those who have courageously given of themselves in leadership.
   
7. We see religion, magick and wisdom in living as being united in the way one views the world and lives within it-a world view and philosophy of life which we identify as Witchcraft-the Wiccan Way.
8. Calling oneself "Witch" does not make a Witch-but neither does heredity itself, nor the collecting of titles, degrees and initiations. A Witch seeks to control the forces within her/himself that make life possible in order to live wisely and well without harm to other and in harmony with Nature.
   
9. We believe in the affirmation and fulfillment of life in a continuation of evolution and development of consciousness giving meaning to the Universe we know and our personal role within it.
   
10. Our only animosity towards Christianity, or toward any other religion or philosophy of life, is to the extent that its institutions have clamed to be "the only way" and have sought to deny freedom to others and to suppress other ways of religious practice and belief.
    
11. As American Witches, we are not threatened by debates on the history of the Craft, the origins of various terms, the legitimacy of various aspects of different traditions. We are concerned with our present and our future.
    
12. We do not accept the concept of absolute evil, nor do we worship any entity known as "Satan" or "the Devil", as defined by Christian tradition. We do not seek power through the suffering of others, nor accept that personal benefit can be derived only by denial to another.
    
13. We believe that we should seek within Nature that which is contributory to our health and well-being.

As alluded to in point 4, most Witches recognize a Goddess and a God, the male and female sides of one divine power. Regarding the Deities, Scott Cunningham has this to say in his book, Wicca, A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner" (a cornerstone work for many Witches): "In Wiccan thought, the Deities didn't exist before our spiritual ancestor's acknowledgement of them. However, the energies behind them did; they created us. Early worshippers recognized these forces as the Goddess and the God, personifying them in an attempt to understand them." It makes sense then for the forces to be personified in a form familiar to us, as both masculine and feminine.

Just as different pagan cultures had different names for the Gods and Goddesses that they envisioned, many Witches or covens choose to use a variety of the old names. Others choose to assign no particular names or images, finding "a lack of names and costumes a comforting lack of limitations."

Beyond what you have read here, most everything you thought about witches is probably not true. They do not worship devils--devils are a Christian concept, and not even a part of Wiccan beliefs. (The Wiccan God is often portrayed with antlers, and this was a source of confusion played upon by the Church). Witches do not sacrifice babies or animals, and in fact are loath to even harm plants without good cause. Love and respect for nature and life are paramount in the Wiccan way.

If there is one generalization you can make about Witches, it is this: Because Wicca is a path that most people come to on their own terms and for their own reasons, there is far less hypocrisy among Witches that in some religions. Very few Witches claim to have all the answers, and most encourage others to do what “feels right” to them, in order to get in touch with the Goddess and the God inside themselves.