PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE What does this title bring to mind? In the Wicca/witch community there has been discussions, even debates concerning our past, the present and what the Craft holds for the future so with this article i present my views and studies of what these things represent for me, and may also mean for others. We have all heard the term witch, Wicca, but what does it mean to be a witch? Are they simple labels, all do they hold significant meanings? Each meaning holds within it a spark of creativity. For the way of the witch holds many lessons to learn. In the Wicca/Witch community terms are used, separately, but also interchanged. Many call themselves, just witches, to reclaim the once forgotten word. Some simply call themselves Wiccan, to try and get away from the stereotyped version of witches which, the public, and media portray. Others simply use the combination of both terms. It is only when we reclaim the ancient title of witch that it perhaps can be vindicated from the misconceptions. Over the years the craft has spouted into a marvelous pot of traditions, ideas, and as always a celebration of life. We constantly revaluate the terms, and choices we make, individuality incorporating the craft to our individual needs. We look to the past, to find remnants of how our ancestors practiced; for it is truth that there blood is in our own. But is Wicca really old? This too brings around debates. This is more of a yes/no question. Goddess worship has been practiced in many cultures, so we know these roots are archaic. The practice of Magick is also archaic. Witchcraft was an oral tradition as it has been said. Things were not usually written down. One reason could be because of the chance of persecution if written material was found. Also many were unable to read and write. In the past we were stamped devil worshippers, who blighted cattle, flew on broomsticks, and supposedly delighted in weaving our wicked ways. A simple act of healing that did not come from there version of god was evil. Lies fester and rumors spread. It seems almost impossible that the word Witch still exists. But with strong willed individuals the craft still remains alive. Blessed be! No one knows how Witches of the past really practiced, because we werent there, many would now claim that the knowledge was passed on through families, or the knowledge is in books, that is most certain, but firstly things passed on through generations get distorted, a bit like the game telephone things are lost. To say that a certain trad has gone unchanged for future generations is ingnorant. As for books they are written by people, and as being done they written from that persons perspective,so they cannot be read to lightly, usually the heart can see past fasleness. All things change in the future so has wicca/witchcraft It's an important aspect of life, and nature , and CHANGE. Witches delight in hugging trees, walking barefoot, nothing is wrong with this its claiming back that part of ourlselves lost through technology. People are different and connect to the earth through different ways, whether it's feeling, seeing, or both. To shun those who try to connect to nature is to shun the essence of wicca and/or witchcraft its self, becuase the power of magick also lies in the earth the use of herbs, stones, and gems ect. The legitamy of terms is also questioned whether wicca is a validated term for modern witches today! Before christianity came to europe, who knows what the pre christians religous folk termed themsleves. We termed them pagan, witches ect but these are our labels. To christians a witch was wicked and evil. But if we look closley the word witch comes form these terms: Middle English wicche, from Old English wicca, masculine, wizard & wicce, feminine, witch; akin to Middle High German wicken to bewitch, Old English wigle divination, and perhaps to Old High German. A pagan: Middle English, from Late Latin paganus, from Latin, country dweller, from pagus country district. These terms were labels nothing more today what we name ourselves is not revelant. Wicca is indeed a valudated word from the versions as said above also can be said as witta, or wikka, it was the wittans who advised some kings in decisions. So whether being new term or old, some wish to steer clear of the negative connotions of the word witch so prefer wiccan, other prefer to use both or one or the other. Why fight over such words, there is no power in them unless given, we should be more concerned in what we practice not what we call ourselves. However like in all communities, there was and IS! a few who decide, to diminish respect and reverence, by deliberately causing harm on others, for power, or self gratification. This is most dishonorable. As we know Wicca is a wonderful construction, revival or/and reconstruction on the craft. It is modern witchcraft for a modern world, and that is how it should be. No one knows for sure how our ancestors practiced, We can find artifacts, but we must put together what we have from then and now, and base our conclusions on our finds. But there are also those who have had the craft passed down to them in there family lines. These people also offer us knowledge. What we practice today can differ from what we practiced then. For one sure thing, we have our technology, and also a somewhat guarantee that we will not be burned at the stake. What we do know is that witches are and were empowered, and wise individuals, they were the healers, midwives, and wise ones of that time. It was quite possible that people of the community went to them for advice, before the persecutions. Today the majority of us, have diverse jobs. Religion to me always seems to bring up a man made construct idea, but then again everything has manmade ideas. We revere, honor, the existence of life. We know that as soon as we leave our stable homes that the word is truly alive; We can all step out of the droll regimented routines, and be enfolded, by the sunlight, taste the rain, and, take sheer pleasure knowing that nature is not one gigantic robot, to be exploited. We live, die and are reborn, only to embrace once more. Thus is the spiral of life. The future holds many things. You never know! Our children�s children might look back, and laugh at our techniques, and our unsavory un-modern technology. But even so there will always be a feeling that they have come home, that they too practice something which some of its roots ebb back into time! If some one discredits you whatever faith you are, show them ass and tell them to kiss boot heel. LOLOLOL (Just kidding) |
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