Frequently Asked Questions
Here are just a couple of general questions and answers relating to Wicca. I have provided links to a couple of other FAQs worth checking out that provide many more questions and answers. The answers on this page are based on what I know and understand. You may find that other people have written slightly different answers and that's ok. The essence is all basically the same. Do more research and decide for yourself what you believe.1) What is Wicca?
Wicca (or Witchcraft) is a form of Paganism, an earth-based religion celebrating nature and recognizing a duality in deity. Wiccans recognize deity as being immanent versus transcendent. We experience the Divine, not believe in it. Deity resides within and around us. Wiccan celebrations are based on the turning of the seasons and the lunar cycle. These are the 8 sabbats and 13 esbats. Though "Wicca" and "Witchcraft" are used interchangeably, they have their different meanings. Wicca is the Neo-Pagan religion and Witchcraft is the practice of natural magic. Not all Wiccans are Witches and not all Witches are Wiccan. People who practice the Craft or the religion are referred to as Witches or Wiccans. Believe it or not, despite what you might have thought, Witches/Wiccans can also be male. Male Witches aren’t Wizards or Warlocks. They are also referred to as Witches. Witches/Wiccans come from both sexes, all races, all ages, and sexual orientations.
2) What is Magic?
Magic is the process of causing change through the focusing of our natural powers. We use tools such as herbs, gems, oils, ritual tools, amulets, chants, dance, (etc…) to help us focus and direct our inner power but the power is natural. It comes from within. We use our will to effect change. There are no colors associated with magic. Magic is neither black nor white. It all depends on the reasons behind the magic. The colors refer to the intentions behind the magic being performed.
3) Do Wiccans worship Satan?
No. Wiccans don’t worship Satan nor do we believe in Satan. We don’t even believe in the concept of an all-powerful evil entity. Wiccans honor (generally equally) a Goddess and a God. They either see all Gods and Goddesses as being the many facets of the one God and Goddess, or they see all Gods and Goddesses as being entire separate beings. Satan is a Judeo-Christian concept. We believe in a balance between positive and negative energies.
4) Tell me more about Witches(Wiccans)? Do they ride broomsticks and all?
No. Witches don’t ride around on broomsticks. Though we do use broomsticks in ritual to purify space by sweeping away negative energy. I happen to like riding the bus, or rollerblades perfectly fine, thank you very much. :) If you think a Witch is an old, green-faced, wart-covered, evil, ugly, hag that dances and chants around her bubbling cauldron, you’re wrong. Like I mentioned before, Witches come from both sexes, all races, all ages and all sexual orientations. In fact, there is a growing number of teenage Witches out there in the world, like myself (college-aged). Everybody has a place in Wicca and Witchcraft. Society had branded Witches with many negative stereotypes (i.e. the image of the ugly old hag). Many of these stereotypes have their origin in old times. Way back when, Witchcraft and all other forms of Paganism were normal as Christianity is now. Then, after the coming of Christianity, Witches were driven away into hiding for fear of being burned at the stake or hanged. Thousands of Witches and innocents were burned at the stake during the European witch hunts and hanged during the Salem witch trails. The Catholic Church started many of the stereotypes and now, more and more, Wiccans and Witches are trying to make people aware of their peaceful nature. We are trying to rid society of the negative stereotypes which brand us. There’s more occult-oriented stuff in the media, i.e. Bewitched, The Sixth Sense, The Blair Witch Project, Practical Magic, and The Craft, however these portrayals still reflect the stereotypes. Unfortunately, television shows such as Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Charmed do not help in the understanding of Wicca and Witchcraft. They portray fluffy, "say-a-few-words-and-wiggle-your-finger-to-get-what-you-want" nonsense that fuels an interest in Wicca and Witchcraft based on false conceptions.
5) Phew. Okay. How about spells?
I have been asked many times if I can turn someone into a frog. Whenever someone asks me that, I just roll my eyes.. Frogs? Right. No. Spellcraft is the use of magic. It is the use of our energies and the energies around us to effect change. The use of tools and herbs and oils are all used to direct our will towards a certain goal.
6) What about Witches’ curses and hexes?
Witches aren’t suppose to curse or hex anyone. They must abide the Wiccan Rede and the Threefold Law. The Wiccan Rede states, “An it harm none, do what thou wilt.” This basically says you may do what you want, so long as you do not harm yourself or others. The Threefold Law basically states that whatever energies you send out, whether good or bad, will come back to you times three. So, witches aren’t encouraged to do evil or it will return to them, three times the evil.
Still interested? Browse through my other pages and explore other aspects of the Wicca and Witchcraft. If you still have questions, drop me a line, k?
May the love of the Lord and Lady be within and around you as you jorney on your path.
-Miaka
Recommended Reading:
-Kerr Cuhulain's "Law Enforcement Guide to Wicca"
-Teresa Moorey's "Witchcraft: A Beginner's Guide"
-Robin Skelton's "Practice of Witchcraft"
-Raymond Buckland's "Complete Guide to Witchcraft"
-Scott Cunningham's "Wicca: a Guide for the Solitary Practitioner"
-Silver Ravenwolf's "To Ride a Silver Broomstick"
Websites:
(c) Diana's Bow Designs 2003
