Paganism

Jessica's Basic Information on Pagan and Wiccan Religions

This page is about my religion. For those of you who don't know, or who chose to ignore it... I am a Pagan. And I am a proud Pagan. I don't wear my pentagram as a sign of my religion as some Christians wear their cross. Though, lately I have been thinking about wearing it more often. But only because I am tired of being refered to as a 'minority.' We aren't a minority, just the vast majority of other 'witches' are "in the broom closet" because we do not feel safe otherwise. I don't, however, wear my necklace often partially because I don't feel the need to flaunt my beliefs in the faces of non-believers. But partially because I live in a small town in the bible belt & I will admitt that I fear being stereo-typed, out-cast, & 'punished' for my beliefs in a polytheistic relgion. (Plus my family hasn't been very understanding or supportive of my choice of religious paths, though it runs in one part of my family & I have discovered that I am the last practicing Pagan in my family.) One, that I would like to point out, that has been around for millions of years before 'the Christ' appeared a mere 2004 years ago.
Now, some myths that I would like to clear up. As I stated in my pet peeves section of my hobbies page, there is no 'Devil' in Paganism, Shamanism, Druidism, nor in Wicca. I would also like to say that MOST people who practice the above religions do NOT practice animal (goat, chicken, horse, ect.) sacrafices nor do they practice human sacrafices. As a matter of fact most 'spells' don't even require a quote unquote 'sacrafice.' Usually the Gods & Goddesses simply require thanks & recognition & understanding. For the most part our 'sacrafices' are grain or fruit or wine/juice. Blood shed is NOT a neccesity. Blood shed, if used, doesn't require the loss of life. Which is why our "Golden Rule" states simply, "An ye harm none do as ye will." And it is clearly understood that 'HARM' can be done to a person on several levels of several planes. Emotional, physical, spychological... these are a few ways people can be harmed or affected negatively, & are strictly taboo in said practices of belief.
Any one who tells you it is required is full of crap, doesn't know what they are talking about, or they are trying to get you A)killed B)imprisoned or C) they have some weird fetish & you are their victim. I know this from personal experience... the internet isn't as safe as you think it is. And as bad as you think your life is, there is always someone out there willing to make it worse.

Here are some works that I have collected over the years. Read them at your leisure, & as far as I am concerned, I know you'll probably copy & paste or print these off... I can't stop you from doing so, but I will ask that you "give credit where credit is due."
*See, MO had a point. And I am glad to quote her on this site :D*

Spiritual
Laws

Principles of Wiccan Belief
PART ONE

Basic Principles
of the craft

What is Wicca?

Rights in
the USA

Principles of Wiccan Belief
PART TWO

Beliefs and
Customs of Wicca

Traditions of
the craft