'Lady, I gotta tell ya, I've been gravely misinformed about witches.'-Bart Simpson
I am a Solitary Eclectic Practioner of the Craft of the Wise, who tends towards Dianic Wicca. This page will outline some of my beliefs and practices.
An it Harm None, do as thou wilt...
Practitioners of the Craft of the Wise have been called by many names, not the least of which include, Midwife, Healer, Wise Woman, Herbalist, and Witch. The word witch itself defined means wise.
In times past, wisdom was a thing feared by the average person. A Healer or Midwife held knowledge that could affect life and death. They knew the secrets of how herbs and medicines worked. They practiced Magick, a term in its day that was synonymous for the word Science in present days. They respected Nature as life giving and sustaining.
A witch does not have to be on the Wiccan path, but a witch can follow the Wiccan path.
A witch practices a religion based on the reverence of nature.
A witch harms no one.
A witch's pentacle or pentagram is not a symbol of evil. The points on the star represent the elements : Air, Earth, Fire and Water with the top point corresponding to "Spirit". It is worn as a symbol, and for protection.
A witch's magickal spell is liken to a prayer. A witch will not cast a spell for anyone without the individual's permission.
Many witches, (and some Wiccans) practice alone as a Solitary.
Many witches believe in reincarnation.
Many witches believe in the laws of Karma.
Many witches are Wiccan, or belong to the religion known as Wicca. Wicca largely consists of adults, as children are generally not ready to commit to a religious path. Wicca has been a legally recognized religion in the United States since 1985.
Witches do not practice satan worship. (Satan is a Christian concept.)
Witches widely believe in the law of Three. That what is done will return to the doer threefold. Therefore a witch would seek to do only good.
Witches accept that all religious paths are valid, so long as the religion in question harms no one. A witch would not oppress another, or infringe on another's human rights. A witch does not go out to "missionize" because a witch does not devalue anothers beliefs and practices, as they are right for that person.
Witches do not exclude or discriminate in any way, whether it be race, sex, sexual orientation, politics or ethnicity.
Mother Earth is our home. Ecology is central in Witch Craft and Wiccan practice. The earth and all that lives on her is sacred to the Practioner of the Craft of the Wise.
A witch can adhere to another orthodox faith as well.
'Witchcraft, as a religious impulse, has never gone out to recruit or convert those of other faiths, nor does being a witch prevent you from following an orthodox belief as well. Today there are Catholic Witches, Quaker Witches, Church of England Witches, as well as Hindu, Jewish and Buddhist Witches.'-Marian Green
Marian Green is the author of Books on Wicca, Editor of Quest magazine, published since 1970. She also runs seminars, and workshops in Britain, Europe, and Canada. And runs a correspondence course based on the philosophy in her books.
