Wicca is a religion defined to the public by Gerald Gardner in the 1950's that represents the ancient ways of love for life and the inherent energy and spirit in all living and natural things. It is a hodge-podge combination of many old paths of Witchcraft refined and combined to form a new-age theology where the life and power of nature is worshipped, revered, and utilized in daily life. Wiccans usually practice their faith on the 13 full moons, or esbats, and also at the eight festivals, or sabbats although major workings are always held on the esbats. They assemble, some alone, some in coven, and practice their ritual in confined protective space, usually by opening a magickal circle and working within. This creates a pure sacred space and is the foundation of most pagan rituals. Inside this circle, Wiccans invoke the God and Goddess, the aspects and energies of all male and female natural things respectively. Using this empowerment they bend time and will to benefit, not harm, themselves and others. Many techniques are used to heal people and animals, seek guidance with divination, or improve their lives in various ways. Positive goals are sought and anything that bends the will of another, whether by binding, love spells, or manipulation magick are repugnant to practitioners of the Old Religion. It is condemned and considered to bring one's self the same harm or loss of will by three fold. As such, most ritual by those using Wicca, is a white and positive thing even during a waning moon where banishment or protection spells utilize a darker magick, but for a positive purpose.
Are Wiccans Evil? - Most outsiders seem to think a witch or Wiccan or anybody believing in any form of Witchcraft is inherently 'evil'. Even Walt Disney's depiction in Sleeping Beauty, Snow White and other films such as The Wizard of Oz force feed the public a view of a very bad or 'wicked witch'. In reality, Wicca has no belief system in 'good' or 'evil', but once again, negative forms of magick are intolerable and condemned by ourselves. Often those who do not understand our ways associate us with Satan, or the Christian devil. In truth, Wicca and other forms of Witchcraft predate Christianity and have nothing to do with evil or aspects of the Christian devil. This image often haunts us in the public eye, but could be no further from the truth. Wicca is a beautiful, satisfyingly natural way of life worshipping life and the love of nature and its power in all living things. If more people understood us, we would face much less persecution and intolerance.
An it harm none, do as ye will - is the single most important principle to the Wiccan faith. Will is a difficult thing to control but so long as noone is harmed by one's workings (including one's self), then it is accepted and condoned no matter all else. Wicca believes in a loose set of rules and follows a rede that culminates in 'An it harm none, do as ye will' and follows other loose beliefs such as 'The Threefold law', which means whatever we create or exude, comes back to us times three. Good begets good, and bad begets bad. It is a basic, simple foundation for this type of Witchcraft.
Can a witch also be Christian? - Goodness no! This is a preposterous notion that some cling to. Not only does it offend both faiths, it simply is unworkable. Why? Wicca is an earth-based polytheistic path. Meaning it worships divinity in all living things equally and inherently. Christianity is a monotheistic path. Meaning it holds divinity in Godhead alone. Not only this but Judeo-Christianity incorporates concepts such as original sin, vicarious atonement, bodily resurrection
... all nonsense to Wicca, and on the other hand Wicca believes in divinity in everything living and natural, karmic laws, and reincarnation, all abhorrent to Christianity and according to the Christian bible, will send one into the gates of hell itself. The idea of a Christian Wiccan would be like saying one is a Christian Jew. Its impossible to believe in such contradicting religions at the same time.
So what is a Witch? - A Witch above all worships the Triple Goddess and her Consort, The Horned God, in one form or another. These represent the dark and light in the year, as well as the feminine and masculine properties of all things natural. A Witch works Magick within a definite code of ethics creating sacred space and working within. A Witch acknowledges and uses the male-female polarity in his/her rites. A Witch takes total responsibility for his/her actions, his/herself, and his/her future. A Witch believes that death is not an ending of existence, but a step in the on-going process of life. A Witch believes that each person's faith is their own and does not work to seek converts. A Witch holds the power of and within nature, and utilizes that empowerment to bend time and matter in order to achieve psychic and spiritual satisfaction. A Witch is all these things and much more. Don't like them? Don't believe in what they believe in? Do your own spirit and karma a favor and at least respect them.
