Hum de dum...well...if this isn't witchcraft 101 I don't know what is... Well...magick is like the force. Yes, sometimes Hollywood gets stuff right. The force, like magick, is not in itself good or evil, but can be used for both. Some emotions can lead you to do good and bad things, so you have to learn self control. Magick does not have to be used in spells, it can follow what you believe you want at any particular moment, depending on what kind of link you have to your power. I have a friend who tossed a guy into a locker one day when she was pissed (the guy had been stalking and attacking her), without meaning to. She was that pissed. Wiccans tend to form their own pantheons. Some are mixed from all sorts of cultures like Greek, Celtic, Egyptian...you name it. Some make their own Gods and Goddesses. Some are Christians. There is no set Holy Book. Wicca is a recognized World Religion, and is represented at the Conventions. Once I find my copy of the Principals we follow, I'll post them. The important thing to remember is Wicca is not so much a religion, but a way of life. It's not organized, there are no true Wiccan Churches. Wicca is recognizing that you have a place in this world, and lessons to learn. You may not be rich, you may not be famous, you may not even be popular. But you do have a place, and you have a right to believe what you want to believe, and the right to make choices that you want to make. Wiccan's don't recrute, we wait for those interested in Wicca to come to us. As far as groups, we form two kinds, one being formal, one being informal. Informal groups are called Circles. These are groups of random groups of people who are all friends. They celebrate holdiays and life together. Covens are formal circles, of a set number of people. These groups are by invitation only, are normally people who are graduated from college (or of that age) and are VERY close. These are ppl who have known each other for YEARS and only let others join them when there is a hole in the group, only when EVERYONE in the coven agrees to it, and only to a person they know very well whom they think will fit in. If you are like me, and are of adolecent years, forget getting into a coven for a few years. Why? Most Wiccans believe that you can change your mind about beliefs, and at that age you are very given to changing your mind. People who are accepted into already existing covens have been Wiccans for years, and are set in their beliefs. There is nothing stopping you from forming your own coven at this age, but it's not recomended, for the same reasons that you wouldn't be accepted into a coven. You are still growing spiritually, and you need room to grow. I personally belong to a circle. These tend to form on their own, and are great fun. Realize that people in your circle are going to be friends of yours on some level, and you will need to keep a handle on fights, because these can destroy the group (just like at school). What about holidays? High holidays are called Sabats. There are 8 of these a year. They've been described so many times that I'm not going to bother here. Go check the Witchy link section. But here's a list: Candlemas: February 2 Ostara: March 21 Beltaine: May 1 Midsummer: June 21 Lughanstad: August 2 Mabon: September 21 Samhain: October 31/November 2 Yule: December 21 Small holidays are celbrated every month on full moons. These are called esbats. All holidays are optional...just like everything else. Tailor made religion, right here!! Wiccans tend to believe in past lives and life after death. Everyone has their own versions of this. Wiccan's tend to agree, as far as I've found, that everyone has existed before at some time, but not everyone remembers. There are Old Souls, who have been around for thousands of years and keep coming back for various reasons. These are not as common as the everyday person who has been around the block only a few times. If you are thinking of becoming Wiccan, rember a few rules: Not Everyone is Nice. Everyone does not have to be Nice to you. Always have a backup plan Ever mind the rule of three, what you do come's back to thee Goddess Bless