The real meaning of the word is 'Craft of the Wise'.  The Anglo-Saxon
word 'wicca', or wise one, changed during the centuries - which is the
natural fate of words - and become 'witch'.  And with the change of the
word the popular concept of witchcraft changed also, so that the witch, 
once a respected and esteemed member of the community, became a near-
outcast, from whom respectable men and women shuddered away.


In 1735, under George II, the Witchcraft Act was passed.  It's essence
was that witchcraft did not exist and that anyone who pretended to possess 
supernatural powers should be prosecuted.  This law stayed on the books
until 1951.  Between those times 'witchery' and 'wickedness became
more or less synonymous and to be a witch was a capital crime.  Contact
between covens was risky and as there were no hiding places for written 
records that would be safe from discovery.  Therefore witchcraft has no 
archives, no way of tracing the roots of our beliefs and practices from
the beginning.  The consequences of discovery was death for anyone having
the merest hint of belief in the Old Gods, by burning at the stake, or by 
hanging; more often than not preceded by what was euphemistically known as 
'questioning', in other words torture.  It is safe to say that at witch 
trials in general 99% of the 'questioning' was carried out, not to discover 
the truth of the case against the accused, but to make sure of a verdict 
of 'guilty as charged'


On the mere whisper of suspicion of connexion with the Craft houses
were searched and arrests made.  Nothing which could possibly be 
construed as belonging to a witch could be stored on the premises
of anyone who wanted to escape persecution.  The Athame, ceremonial
candles, Books of Shadows...all were disguised or destroyed in order
to keep safe those who used them in the practice of their worship. 
Even the practice of nudity in ritual may have been an expedient way
of solving the question of how to conceal robes used in Circle. 


Those of us who are hereditary and have grown up with the Craft as
a part of our lives from childhood rejoice at the change in the 
public attitude toward the Craft.  Cautiously, we are coming out of 
the broom closet and starting to join together in order to share the 
knowledge that was fragmented from the choices that were made by 
those before us who dwelt under the threat of death for practicing 
and worshiping in the Old Ways.  Our history to this date has been 
mostly oral, handed down from elder to younger but the destruction 
of whole families, men, women and children, during the Burning Times 
have left gaps and holes in even that.




So this is my attempt to share my Path.  Things that I have here 
follow the beliefs that I was taught at the knee of my Elders from
childhood and represent the background one Southern witchwoman.  I
do not presume to say that this is the Path of all of us who practice
the Craft nor do I say that all who call themselves 'witch' believe
in the things I set down here.  We each follow our own hearts, so 
please do not expect your answers to appear from whatever wisdom you
may think I have.  I am still learning myself, and the Mother teaches
me new things every day (some I would rather not learn, but She Who Is
Wise determines my needs better than I do).


So in closing let me just say "Merry Meet and Merry Part and Merry Meet
Again" with Blessings and hopes that your Path will prove enlightening
and not too full of the tribulations of life that beset us all.