Wicca?
I do not claim to speak for all Wiccans nor all forms of WICCA.
- Everyone has a right to their own opinions.
Its practices can be traced to Neolithic (Stone Age) cave paintings. In early times the Wiccan was the local midwife, psychiatrist and doctor/healer. The field of modern medicine can trace its origins to the herbal medicines that were once used by these same Wiccans.
Wicca is a nature religion not unlike the shamanism of the Native Americans. As the concepts of male and female have existed throughout life -- indeed, are both necessary to create it -- most Wiccans perceive their Deity (Higher Power) as both male and female: the Goddess and the God. Like the concept of the Trinity, these aren�t �many different� Gods; they are aspects of the ONE Creator.
The Goddess is seen as Mother Earth and Mother Nature, and is represented by the Moon. She is seen in the fertility of the plant, animal and human kingdoms.
The God is seen in the woodlands, the Sun, grain & the hunt. Because most of the animals that prehistoric humans hunted had horns, he was usually depicted as the �Horned One�.
2. REAL WITCHES ARE NOT EVIL. They believe in the Wiccan Rede, which is �Lest Ye Harm None, Do What Ye Will� (In other words, do not harm yourself or another by your actions). True Wiccans follow this Rede. People who claim to do �Black Magick� (which we will go into later on) or �curses� are NOT True Wiccans... they are only using the word and/or religion as an excuse for their behavior. When in fact it isn�t the way Wiccans are at all. Wiccans also believe in the �Three-Fold Law�, which states that whatever you/anyone does, be it good or evil, comes back to you three times over. So (obviously) there is no incentive to do evil by Wiccans.
3. Devil?? Wiccans do NOT believe in or worship Satan, and do NOT perform any sort of human or animal sacrifices. Satan is a concept that originated with Christianity. Wiccans put the responsibility for our actions squarely on whom it belongs; ourselves. Wicca teaches us to be responsible people who take responsibility for our own deeds.
When the Christian Church decided that they were the �One and only True Religion, Wicca was considered a threat, it was then decided by these Churches that their �Satan� had horns (Like the �Horned God�) and that Wiccans were actually worshipping the Devil. This became the death warrant for millions of innocent people.
4. The Pentagram It is a five-pointed star in an Upright/one point up position. It is the symbol of our religion. The top point symbolizes Spirit (The Creator) being above/or ruling. The Four Elements of Life (Air, Fire, Water & Earth) are the four lower points.
The circle, being without beginning or end, symbolizes the Deity. It is completely encompassing the Star within it. (The Star represents the out-stretched human body, reaching out for connection with Spirit). Together, they represent the Creator�s Protection & Wisdom for us all.
- Inverting the Pentagram, as done by Satanists, symbolizes that the Elements (material world) are superior to the Creator. - Completely Unlike the Wiccan belief.
Unfortunately, through misunderstandings that have been repeated by the media, the Pentagram (in whatever position) has become wrongly equated with Satanism.
5. Wicca and Witchcraft - Are they the same? Well all I can say is that it is the same concept (for most anyway). Witchcraft simply means �Craft of the Wise Ones�. Witch is defined as �Wise One, A believer or follower of Wicca, and One particularly skilled at one�s craft�. The Rede remains the same, as do the laws. Mainly Wiccans use the term Wicca or Wiccan because of all the bad press and negativity associated with the terms Witch or Witchcraft.
6. Spells and Magick First off, let me say this, there is No Such Thing As �Black Magick�. Really, there is no white OR black magick. Actually the intent of the user, the feelings they put forth into energy is what makes the magick. The magick itself really doesn�t exist. It is merely a word used to describe sending out a prayer and personal energy into a specific purpose. In the same way that a Christian or Buddhist might pray for help, guidance, etc., magick/spells are used in the same way. For Good, for healing, for protection, for guidance, for acceptance. Using not only the energy we all possess within ourselves, but also by asking that the God/Goddess help (whether by strengthening us through the difficult times or rejoice with us in the beautiful times) is how we �perform� magick/spells. We believe that if we can visualize something strongly enough, concentrate and project it to a desired purpose, the event can happen. We do not claim to have �powers� or �special abilities� - we simply try to tap into the love and human energy we all have within ourselves and try to put it to some form of good use. All the �tools� associated with magick (candles, incense, etc.) are merely to help get one in the mindset so that the magick can happen. A sample of a simple spell might consist of this... A person/persons would light a candle and say a prayer for a sick friend while picturing that person healthy and vibrant. Focusing their healthy, loving energy & thoughts towards that loved one. Now... does this sound Evil? Really, that�s all it is. It isn�t the �hocus-pocus� seen on television or in movies. There are no bats eyes, no lizard tongues. No summoning evil spirits. Only one person asking for help for another and doing what they can in their own way.
7. A Religion or a Cult? It is a legal religion. Recognized by the United States Government and protected by the First and Fourteenth amendments. A cult is defined as �A religion or religious sect generally considered to be extremist or false, with its followers often living in an unconventional manner under the guidance of an authoritarian, charismatic leader�. This is not Wicca. We are a non-proselytizing religion (We don�t try to convert anyone). We feel that all religions are equally valid, & that you should be free to choose the one with which you are most comfortable, one you truly believe in with your heart. We feel that no One religion is the Right one, they are ALL right, just different from what someone else may believe. No religion has the monopoly of God. In our opinion, far too many religions place too much emphasis on the �religion� itself or its �leader�. and seem to be worshipping that instead of their God/Creator. This (again in our opinion) is wrong thinking. We worship that which gave/gives us life. So long as it doesn�t infringe on the rights of others, we all have a right to our own method of worshipping. Worshipping a different Creator does Not make one a �bad person�. In fact if this were true, then wouldn�t Christians, Muslims, Native Americans, Wiccans, etc., all be considered �bad�? People don�t look down upon Native Americans for their personal religious beliefs (ours are very similar), so why is it that Wiccans are perceived as such a threat? Because of the media & other religions that present false statements that they claim to be fact. Tell me, if someone does not research a topic completely, how can they claim to know everything about it? Let alone call it evil, and lead other people to believe these false claims as well. We are portrayed in movies, TV, books, etc., as everything from old hags to devil worshippers and this is just simply UNTRUE. We are your Mothers, Fathers, Daughters, Sons, Brothers & Sisters. We are people just like you. We are the same people after you find out that we�re Wiccan as we were before you found out. Please do not judge us based on our beliefs as we would not judge you for yours.
-What about what it says in Exodus 22:18 - �Thou shalt not suffer a Witch to live�? As was pointed out as early as 1584 by Author and Historian Reginald Scot, the original word in Hebrew- chasaph means �poisoner�, NOT Witch. As the time of the Bible�s writing, a poisoner could ruin a well & kill many people and livestock. That was the threat that the Bible referred to. So why did the incorrect translation occur? King James I had a paranoid fear of Witches(as made evident in his book Deamonologie) and deliberately had his translators alter the text of the Bible to provide grounds for the death of Witches.
(Also note- The �Witch of Endor� was originally titled the "Woman of Endor")
Unfortunately, these incorrect translations are still being used in the same way today.
Excerpts attributed to Norm Vogel and Scott Cunningham.