WICCA - A modern Pagan religion with spiritual roots in the earliest expressions of reverence for nature. Some major identifying motifs are: reverence for both the God and Goddess; acceptance of reincarnation and magick; ritual observance of astronomical and agricultural phenomena; and the use of magickal circles for ritual purposes.
PAGAN - General term for followers of Wicca and other magickal, shamanistic, and polytheistic Earth-based religions. Also used to refer to pre-Christian religious and Spiritual belief systems.
WITCH - A practioner of folk magick, particularly that kind relating to herbs, stones, colors, wells, rivers, etc. It is used by some Wiccans to describe themselves. This term has nothing to do with Satanism.
These definitions do little to explain what Wicca, Pagan and Witch really mean. As in any religion no two people have the same exact definition or beliefs.
Wicca is a deep appreciation and awe in watching the sunrise or sunset, the forest in the light of a glowing moon, a meadow enchanted by the first light of day. It is the morning dew on the petals of a beautiful flower, the gentle carress of a warm summer breeze on your skin, or the warmth of the summer sun on your face. Wicca is the fall of colorful autumn leaves and the softness of winter snow. It is light and shadow and all that falls between. It is the song of the birds and all the creatures of the wild. It is being in the presence of Mother Earth's nature and being humbled in reverence. To be a witch is to be a healer, a teacher, a seeker, a giver and protecter of all things. Real witches rarely look like the stereotype portrayed in the media with long pointy chin, warts and big crooked noses wearing tall pointed hats, long capes and dressed all in black. Real witches are women and men, young and old, unique looking or very common looking. Real witches live and die, some breed, and the vast majority pay taxes! Witches practice their religion without trying to force it on others. Many witches are not public about their beliefs for fear of persecution by those who do not understand. Real witches are real people who can look as normal as the next person. There are some large Wiccan churches but most witches practice as "solitaires" or in small groups known as covens. Covens function not only as religious groups but also as extended families. People are generally drawn to Wicca for several reasons. Many women feel left out of the more mainstream religions because of the lack of feminine divinity. For them the Wiccan concept of the Goddess as Mother of all Living fills an empty space in their spiritual search. As a nature based religion Wicca also appeals to those who feel a strong need to get back to the Earth and to those who feel a need to protect the environment - which Wicca is a part of ... not apart from. People drawn to the mystical find Wicca more accomodating because witches do not see anything unnatural about psychic ability or the use of magick to create needed changes in one's life. Another reason is the one rule all witches follow..."An thou harm none; do what thou wilt." This says that nothing is inherently wrong unless it harms someone, including oneself. It gives us the freedom to make our own decisions about what is best for us. Witches believe in retribution and karma - this is the threefold law. It is basically cause and effect. Whatever you send out good or harmful comes back to you - usually stronger. You send out bad...you get bad back. You send out good...you get good back. Witches know better than to wish ill or curse others. Witches follow the code of...harm none; do what you will. Are you born a Witch? No one is born into any religion. This is true for all Pagans as well. You may have been born into a family that is Pagan - just as you may be born into a family that is Christian. You have to study, believe in and live the religion on your own. Anyone can become a Pagan if they think this is the path for them and are willing to dedicate themselves to the lifestyle. As you can see the terms Wicca, Pagan and Witch are used interchangably. Pagan is a very broad term for the followers of any nature based religion. The difference between Witchcraft and Wicca is for many a very fine line. The two are best differentiated by the idea of religion vs. practice. Wicca is a religion which involves communion with the Earth, communion with a God and/or Goddess, living in peace with yourself and others and giving to those that gave to you. Witchcraft, however, is what is practiced. Witchcraft is the art of magick, the art of energy manipulation, the altered states of consciousness. This is not a religion in and of itself. In fact, not all people who practice witchcraft are Wiccans. A witch in the Wiccan religion is someone who has studied very hard, committed the pagan ways to memory, and has given his or her life over to the Goddess for protection and guidance. The term Witch is a high title in the Wiccan religion--- just because you are Wiccan does not make you a Witch! The heart of Wicca is not something summed up in a few short words and can often take on different meaning to each since the Lord and Lady touch us in different ways. Through the wisdom and words set down through the ages, you will find that you are able to understand the basis of these beliefs and how they may apply to you. Your inner voice will also quickly let you know if the intent of what you are reading is for superficial purposes to benefit self instead of working to benefit the whole. Remember to read with your heart, for it is when you see life and the world with your heart and spirit that you truly gain an understanding of what Wicca is. COVEN OF THE RED WITCH WICCA, PAGAN OR WITCH MAGICK BOOK OF SHADOWS SPELLS WITCH GALLERY PENTAGRAMS AND PENTACLES POETRY THIS- N-THAT LINKS WEBRINGS
Real witches rarely look like the stereotype portrayed in the media with long pointy chin, warts and big crooked noses wearing tall pointed hats, long capes and dressed all in black. Real witches are women and men, young and old, unique looking or very common looking. Real witches live and die, some breed, and the vast majority pay taxes! Witches practice their religion without trying to force it on others. Many witches are not public about their beliefs for fear of persecution by those who do not understand. Real witches are real people who can look as normal as the next person.
There are some large Wiccan churches but most witches practice as "solitaires" or in small groups known as covens. Covens function not only as religious groups but also as extended families.
People are generally drawn to Wicca for several reasons. Many women feel left out of the more mainstream religions because of the lack of feminine divinity. For them the Wiccan concept of the Goddess as Mother of all Living fills an empty space in their spiritual search. As a nature based religion Wicca also appeals to those who feel a strong need to get back to the Earth and to those who feel a need to protect the environment - which Wicca is a part of ... not apart from. People drawn to the mystical find Wicca more accomodating because witches do not see anything unnatural about psychic ability or the use of magick to create needed changes in one's life. Another reason is the one rule all witches follow..."An thou harm none; do what thou wilt." This says that nothing is inherently wrong unless it harms someone, including oneself. It gives us the freedom to make our own decisions about what is best for us. Witches believe in retribution and karma - this is the threefold law. It is basically cause and effect. Whatever you send out good or harmful comes back to you - usually stronger. You send out bad...you get bad back. You send out good...you get good back. Witches know better than to wish ill or curse others. Witches follow the code of...harm none; do what you will.
Are you born a Witch? No one is born into any religion. This is true for all Pagans as well. You may have been born into a family that is Pagan - just as you may be born into a family that is Christian. You have to study, believe in and live the religion on your own. Anyone can become a Pagan if they think this is the path for them and are willing to dedicate themselves to the lifestyle.
As you can see the terms Wicca, Pagan and Witch are used interchangably. Pagan is a very broad term for the followers of any nature based religion. The difference between Witchcraft and Wicca is for many a very fine line. The two are best differentiated by the idea of religion vs. practice. Wicca is a religion which involves communion with the Earth, communion with a God and/or Goddess, living in peace with yourself and others and giving to those that gave to you. Witchcraft, however, is what is practiced. Witchcraft is the art of magick, the art of energy manipulation, the altered states of consciousness. This is not a religion in and of itself. In fact, not all people who practice witchcraft are Wiccans. A witch in the Wiccan religion is someone who has studied very hard, committed the pagan ways to memory, and has given his or her life over to the Goddess for protection and guidance. The term Witch is a high title in the Wiccan religion--- just because you are Wiccan does not make you a Witch!
The heart of Wicca is not something summed up in a few short words and can often take on different meaning to each since the Lord and Lady touch us in different ways. Through the wisdom and words set down through the ages, you will find that you are able to understand the basis of these beliefs and how they may apply to you. Your inner voice will also quickly let you know if the intent of what you are reading is for superficial purposes to benefit self instead of working to benefit the whole. Remember to read with your heart, for it is when you see life and the world with your heart and spirit that you truly gain an understanding of what Wicca is.
