From: Spiral-Web.com
Author: Andy Greider
When you read the word witch or coven, what comes to mind for you? Is your mind filled with storybook images of an old woman standing over a cauldron, sacrificing small children and bats, or can you envision a different scene? I see clearly the circle in which stand both men and women, committed to a religion that is older than most others, and is invested in upholding of nature in recognition of both the God and Goddess. Witches are not the stuff of folklore and fairytales but are instead real honest folks who could very easily be your friends and neighbors. We live in harmony with the seasons, cycles and nature, while observing and honoring not just the divine without but within, also.
Are All Witches Pagans?
Many witches consider ourselves Pagans (although not all Pagans consider themselves witches.) Pagan simply means country dweller, but has been used since it began during the Middle Ages - then used to refer to those who wouldn't follow the tennents of the new religion of Christianity.
What Gods do you believe in - how about Satan?
Witches believe in both the God and Goddess, however we do not believe in Satan or Hell. We believe the divine is all around us and at the same time, inside each being. Therefore, we believe there is a common bond between all living things, in that each contains a divine essence inside and thus has something in common with all other living organisms and the divine.
Satan and Hell were developed by the Christians and Muslims. The Horned God is a revered and highly worshipped male deity by Pagans even today. The image of the devil was conjured in this form to mock the Horned God and Paganism. We do not belive in the cores of christianity, so therefore have no recognition of Satan or his abode, Hell.
Without Satan, What Explains Bad Experiences in this Religion?
We believe that resposibility for good and evil lies within each of us and the actions each individual chooses helps bring about the forces of Karma onto them and their lives, both good and bad. Witches believe in reincarnation, and feel that the Karma one sends out in the lifetime may overlap into other lives.
Why, if you don't acknowledge Satan, do you use a Satanic Symbol?
The pentagram is not Satanic. The origins of the pentagram include Pythagoras and his followers. To them, it was symbolic of health and worn to recognize one another. In Witchcraft, the five points of the pentagram correspond to the elements Air, Earth, Fire and Water, with the top point corresponding to the Aksasha or the Spirit.
Are the Stories about Sacrifice, true, or blood drinking?
These are old wive's tales. Witches have nothing to do with such practices. The entire idea of taking another's life for our own gain is foreign to us, as is making the dcision on what should live and what should not. Witches try to keep a deep respect for all life. To be blunt, sacrifice and other types of cult history about Pagans runs directly against the basic tennets we hold dear.
Ok, Maybe You Don't Do Sacrifice, But You Do Cast Spells, Right?
Magick and spellcraft are very important facets of Witchcraft. We do cast spells, but many folks misconstue what this means. Spells are the process of advanced positive envisioning and manifesting. They are used to help give specific guidance or help in situations being focussed on. In some ways, these are akin to prayers or other forms of mental manifestation. However, the two are different. Instead of strictly praying to an external God-form for help, we envision the divine in ourselves being what heals and helps along with influence from the God and Goddess. Spell are really just the combination of our energy and our own divinity channeled into words. And understanding that these spells are ment to help and not harm, is a basic part of this religion. No real Witch would ever use magick or spells to hurt or negatively effect/influence others. Anything which violates the philosopy of each being having the right to their own free will is considered wrong.
Ok, If the Stories or Sacrifice and Spells Aren't True, What about Orgies and Hedonism?
This is another old wives tale. Witches are fairly open about sex in general, and consider it to be sacred. We have no rules prohibiting homosexuality, nudity, or pre-marital sex. One basic corner stone of this religion, (An ye harm none, do what thou will), suggests that violation of free will (sexual free will or other wise ) is not allowed and can not be tolerated, as we are all part of the divine and all part of the one.
If There Aren't Sacrifices and Wild Sex, Why do People become Pagan?
There are as many reasons as there are Pagans/Wiccans, most likely. The reasons vary, but I can attest that Wicca and Paganism where the two places I felt the most at home in my study of nearly 100 religions. Many women take to the idea of male AND female deities as well a equal worship of these entities. Also, many find the openness and love for each other, a large extended family, to be the reason. In addition, this is a religion based on honoring the Earth - and many find themselves drawn to the aspect of reclaiming and honoring their home.