Welcome, everyone. I'm glad you made it. On this page s an introduction to just what Wicca/paganism is, how it is practiced, who are the practitioners, and other details. Before we start, it must be noted that the information below is strictly my style, meaning that many people will disagree with what I say. However, this path is very flexible, so to speak. If you do not like something I say, I suggest either get over it or leave. I don't mean to sound harsh, but really I'm here to teach people the way I was taught. Keeping this in mind, if you go to other sites and notice our theories don't match, this is the reason. Everyone is different, and especially in this path, you must use what works best for you.

"A polytheistic Neo-Pagan nature religion inspired by various pre-Christian western European beliefs, whose central deity is a mother goddess and which includes the use of herbal magic and benign witchcraft."
[The above is a dictionary definition of the word Wicca.]

Wicca is indeed an earth centered religion. It's main focus, from my experience, is the observation of cycles. These cycles include the moon phases, the seasons, the years, the life/death/rebirth of the earth, and the dawn/noon/dusk cycle.

Wiccans have a deity. In some covens or groups, they have many. Primarily it is focused on the Threefold Goddess, who is represented by the moon, and sometimes a God who is represented by the Sun. In some groups, there are many more. These other gods are derived from ancient Egyptian mythology, Greek mythology, Norse mythology, and/or others. There are many rituals which may be conducted to worship these gods, and they will be explained in later lessons.

Those who practice Wicca have a great respect for the Earth and her creatures. They are generally very gentle and loving, practicing their religion with harm towards none, as may be seen in the Wiccan Rede. The magick they practice is general very beautiful and healing is predominant.

This is a very basic outline of what Wicca is.

"Any of various religions other than Christianity or Judaism or Islamism"
[The above is a dictionary definition of the word Paganism.]

Paganism does indeed indicate a religion that is not mainstream, basically. It is, I think, a word invented, or reused by Christians. Originally, the word pagan meant someone who lives in the country. The definition I take it as is a little different

By the word paganism, I mean ... well, it's rather hard for me to explain. Paganism is the roots of Wicca, and Wicca is a Neo-Pagan religion. Neo-pagan means 'new pagan', so it becomes apparent Wicca is taken from a much older religion: in my words, paganism. Paganism to me represents all the covens of witches who yes, observed the cycles of the universe, but were much more involved in their magick and used it often. I myself am an eclectic pagan, meaning I am mainly pagan, but I draw some of my beliefs from other religions [Satanism, Christianity etc.]

In truth, paganism is an umbrella term. 'Paganism' describes the many religions that are not based on Christianity, Judaism or Islamism. This can mean Wicca, Norse religions, Egyptian religions etc. The reason I don't claim to be Wiccan, instead pagan, is because some of the Wiccan principles don't hold true for me. However, I do take a lot from it, so I will tell you about it too.

This is a very basic outline of what paganism is.

When you are a Wiccan, its not all about doing spells. Spells and magick are a relatively little part of Wicca. It is there, and its used in varying degrees by different people, but its not all there is. Firstly, Wiccans honour the land as sacred. There are many deities represented by the earth: Gaia, is possibly the most predominant female aspect, and Pan is closest to the Earth God. There are also several earth related gods, like Lugh, who is Lord of the Crops.

Wiccans have their Wiccan Rede which is, summed up, 'an it harm none, do as thou wilt'. This includes animals as well as humans. They are generally very gentle as a whole, and have high regard for wisdom and learning, as well as a dislike of violence. Their magick is focused on healing and growth, and they rarely ever hex people.

Wicca has very, very little to do with Satanism. Most Wiccans will strongly deny having anything to do with Satanism, claiming they do not sacrifice animals or babies, and they don't worship the devil. And its true, they don't - but then, neither do Satanists. Most Wiccans I have met are as under-informed about Satanism as Christians are about Wicca. For more information about Wicca and Satanism visit the 'Satanism' and 'Wicca/Satanism' pages.

Wicca is practiced by celebrating the cycles. Approximately every six weeks, there is a Sabbath [a festival], which is part of the Myth. The Sabbats celebrate the God and Goddess' cycle of life/death/rebirth. Wiccans also celebrate the cycle of the moon. Most Covens or Groves [groups of witches] will get together on every full moon to do a ritual of some description.

The rituals performed by Wiccans often involve either:

• Raising energy - a way of practicing mental powers, and used before spellcasting
• Cakes and Ale ceremony - a ritual of god/dess worship,
• A Spell - usually to heal a coven member or to ask the goddess of a favour or,
• A Sabbat - Of course, these only come every six weeks or so.

I have found that Wiccans rarely do anything for personal gain, which is very opposed to some forms of paganism. Like my branch of paganism, many witches have no problem with getting what they want. This does not make them cruel however, it is simply another way of getting something, much like working at a job. Indeed, you cant just wave your hand and expect results; hard work is needed to make spells work.

Just what does it take to be a Wiccan? Well, some people will tell you it takes a year and a day of studying before you can be initiated as a witch. Other forms of Wicca have a three year period of learning. I consider myself to be a witch, although I have not initiated myself as yet. I have been studying for three years now, although if you compact the time, its more like one and a half!

So, when you are a Wiccan, or a witch, is only when you decide you are ready. Let no one turn you from your path. They know nothing about you, or what you have been through. If someone tells you something is traditional, remember that traditions change. When the Goddess tells you its time, well, its time!

Blessed Be,
Jesse, Webmaster