witchcraft.info
Wicca - The Basics
What is Wicca/Witchcraft?
Wicca is a neo-pagan religion based on pre-Christian European traditions. Although Wicca itself is a fairly new religion, its origins can be traced back to Paleolithic people who worshipped a Hunter God and a Fertility Goddess. I don't claim that the Wicca I practice today is anything even similar to Pagan rites practiced in ancient times. Religion is not stagnant; it grows and changes with the times.
In 1951, the last laws against Witchcraft were repealed in England and a man named Gerald Gardner became the first to bring modern Witchcraft to public attention. He called it "Wicca", which comes from the Saxon root "wicce" - loosely translated as "wise," and his tradition came to be known as Gardnerian. From there, many hundreds of traditions of Wicca were formed.
What are the ethical standards of Witchcraft?
Witchcraft teaches responsibility for one's own actions. Witches don't have a personification of evil to blame for "tempting" them into doing harmful things.
What is important is the intent of the Witches' action. Evil actions will reap negative returns, just as positive actions will bring positive things to a Witch's life. The Wiccan religion has a central tenet, called the Wiccan Rede, which says "If it harms none, do what you will." The harm refers to gratuitous harm; defending oneself is, of course, permissible.
Do you really cast spells and work magick?
Magick, to me, is an important part of Witchcraft, although certainly not the only part. (magick is spelled with a "k" to distinguish it from the types of illusions performed by stage magicians.)
There is nothing supernatural about magick - it is simply using the natural energies found in yourself, in the Divine and in everything created by the Divine to bring about a desired result.
Anyone can work magick, but the wise Witch will know when to work magick to accomplish a task and when to leave it in the hands of the Divine.
Magick is practiced for positive purposes: spiritual and psychic development, healing, to attune with the forces of nature or to better yourself in some way.
Rituals usually are performed at the New and Full Moons, and at eight Sabbat festivals which mark the wheel of the year and the changing of the seasons, although one can work magick or do ritual every day if one wishes.
Rituals are performed within groups, called covens, or by individuals, called solitaries. A group of solitaries may perform rituals together but still remain solitary. You don't have to have a certain number of people to work spells - one can work spells as easily as four or forty.
No, you don't have to work spells or practice magick to be a Wiccan. Wicca is, first and foremost, a religion.
Do you worship Satan/The Devil?
Absolutely not.
