Frequently Asked Questions
First, let me state that any opinions presented in this website are expressly my own. My opinions in no way represent the opinion of everyone, Witch or otherwise. Ask ten Witches the same question, and chances are you may get ten different responses. Paganism encourages free thinking. Our beliefs are neither dictated nor derived from any one source or book. We tend to seek answers within ourselves and the world around us.
Throughout history, Witches and Pagans have been subjected to harsh treatment and prejudice and have been accused of everything from Satanic worship to human sacrifice.
During the Middle Ages, when the Church began a diligent effort to control the masses and convert as many people as possible over to Christianity, many myths and misconceptions surrounding Pagan practices arose. On this page, I hope to of those misconceptions.
If there are any questions you would like to see posted here or that you feel should be addressed, please feel free to e-mail them to me.
Do Witches/Pagans worship the Devil?
No. In fact, most Pagans do not believe in Satan or the Devil. Most believe that Satan is manmade, created by the Church during the Middle Ages and incorporated into the Bible in an attempt to bastardize the gods honored by the Pagan peoples whom they wished to convert. By making the Pagan gods "evil" entities and therefore striking fear into the hearts of those who worshiped or honored them, the Church was able to persuade them to give up their Pagan practices and take on those of Christianity. Those who did not convert to Christianity were subject to accusations of Witchcraft and thereby torture and execution.
Good and evil are, in my opinion, human traits. Witches by no means corner the market on either one. All humans are capable of good and evil deeds, whether Witch, Christian, Jew, Buddhist, Moslem, or otherwise. How one chooses to act is a choice made by the individual.
Is Witchcraft a Religion?
To some people it is, to others (including myself) it's not. What usually happens when I say that is I'm told that I'm nothing more than a practitioner of magic(k). So be it, if that's their opinion. I tend to disagree. Without going into much detail here (there's more on this in my Opinions section), I believe that Witchcraft and religion are two separate things. One can be a Witch and belong to any religion. Just because Gerald Gardner said that Witches worshipped ancient Gods and Goddesses doesn't necessarily make it so. I'm sure there were Witches worshipping some ancient Gods and Goddesses, but their "religions" were, I believe, as diverse as their individuality, and I'm even more certain that there were Witches who, like me, didn't put names or faces on their Gods nor even mix them into their magic work. I guess in believing that the energy I use is "God," then perhaps my Craft can be seen as a religion, but then I believe "God" is present in everything we do, whatever/whomever "God" may be. I've read historical texts wherein Witches in the old days used healing practices prevalent in the Christian belief systems - does that mean that they weren't Witches? Maybe it's just a matter of opinion.
Are all Pagans Witches?
No. There are many paths within Paganism, just as there are many sects within Christianity. Druidism, Wicca, Stregheria, Shamanism, Dianism, Celtic - all are different belief systems that fall under the umbrella term of "Paganism." All Witches are Pagans, but not all Pagans are Witches.
Are all Witches Wiccan?
Again, no! In fact, most of the Witches I know are not Wiccan. You can learn more about my own views on Wicca by visiting my Opinions section, but suffice it to say that not all Witches are Wiccan (heh, that means there is hope;). Nor do all Witches see the Craft as a religion as I explained above. There's also more on that in the Opinions section. I'll forewarn you, though, I have strong opinions and you may be offended. But hey, it's my site...so deal with it. Can't say I didn't warn ya;)
Do Witches have "supernatural" powers?
In my opinion, the "powers" possessed by Witches are natural-born abilities that are inherent in ALL humans. We are all born with the same abilities; some are just more "in tune" with them. Others have had the belief in them challenged and denigrated by the Church. As a result, these abilities are "feared" by many simply because they have been taught to fear them. Society and mainstream religion have convinced us that these abilities are evil and therefore should not be encouraged.
Do Witches/Pagans perform human or animal sacrifices?
No. If one studies human history, one will find that most primitive cultures did offer sacrifices to the Gods of old at one point or another. In ancient times, many primitive peoples offered sacrificial animals to thank the gods of the hunt for providing food for the people. Even in the Bible, burnt offerings of animals were presented to God in the Old Testament as thanks for his gifts to the people. Just as the Judao-Christian faiths no longer offer sacrifices to God, neither do Pagans offer them to their gods.
Do Witches really put spells on people?
My own opinion on this common question is "no." I tend to think rather that most Witches cast spells for rather than on people. And most Witches I know will only cast spells for themselves and their loved ones, and in the latter case, only with that person's knowledge.
One example of magick that might put this in perspective is the common birthday wish. I am sure that most people, at least in the United States, have at one time or another attended a birthday party in which they or another have closed their eyes, made a wish, and blown out the candles. This is nothing more than a simple candle spell really, the act of closing one's eyes and concentrating one's thoughts upon one's intent or desire.
Do spells really work?
Spells are, in my opinion, not terribly different from the prayers of other spiritual belief systems. The only difference is the set of beliefs behind the words and actions. So one might also ask, "Do prayers really work?" and get much the same response. All spells involve the focusing of energy, the concentration of one's mind upon one's intent or the desired outcome. Just as not all prayers work, nor do all spells - although perhaps they do work, but just not in the way in which you expect them to.
A similar question to the previous one is, Does magick in general really work? My response to this one is pretty much the same although I would like to elaborate a bit on it here. Many Witches in previous times were midwives and healers. The magick they performed was a service that was sought out by their townsfolk. During the Inquisition, when the medical profession began to be developed and women were denied educations, midwives and healers were discounted as "crazy" or "evil," even though the practices they performed really did work. Many modern medical remedies had their basis in ancient Craft practices - take, for example, the herb Foxglove. Digitalis, a major heart medication prescribed today, is a derivative of this herb. Many of the drugs used to ease contractions during pregnancy are derivatives of Nightshade, a shrub related to the potato family often used by ancient healers for the very same reason. Perhaps one day, magick that is performed today will become science too.
Do Witches curse or hex people?
No. Most Witches are "bound" by Karmic Law or the Law of Return. Most believe that that which you send out is returned to you - if you send out good, you may receive good in return - if you send out bad, you may receive bad in return. I say "may" because sometimes you may not receive anything at all in return. But this "law" helps to kinda "keep us in line." We believe that we are responsible for our own actions. If we do something wrong, we have no one to blame but ourself. We cannot ask our gods to forgive us - we must take responsibility for our own actions. Therefore, what purpose would a curse really serve other than to return negativity back upon ourselves?
Are male Witches called "warlocks"?
No. The term "warlock" means "oathbreaker" in most Pagan belief systems and is considered a derogatory term. Male Witches are Witches and nothing else. It is true that "warlock" means "lightbringer" in some Norse traditions, but to call oneself a warlock will most likely get one ridiculed in today's Pagan society.
