Who We Are
This page will serve as a brief introduction to Witchcraft, what it is and what it is not.
Witchcraft is based on ancient shamanic practices. The use of ritual along with chanting, meditation, concentration, visualization, and other techniques can induce alternate states of consciousness. This ritual consciousness allows communication and communion with the Goddess and God.
Many have questioned the authenticity and antiquity of Witchcraft. Irregardless of how our modern rituals have come to us, modern Witchcraft is, by its nature, spiritually descended from the ancient shamanic rituals.
We do not view diety as distant and unapproachable. Rather, we believe that the Goddess and God are within ourselves as well as a part of all Nature. All of creation is but a reflection of Them. There is nothing that is not of the Goddess and God.
"We are not evil. We don't harm or seduce people. We are not dangerous. We are ordinary people like you. We have families, jobs, hopes, and dreams. We are not a cult. This religion is not a joke. We are not what you think we are from looking at T.V. We are real. We laugh, we cry. We are serious. We have a sense of humor. You don't have to be afraid of us. We don't want to convert you. And please don't try to convert us. Just give us the same right we give you - to live in peace. We are much more similar than you think."
Margot Adler
"When one defines oneself as Pagan, it means she or he follows an earth or nature religion, one that sees the divine manifest in all creation. The cycles of nature are our holy days, the earth is our temple, its plants and creatures our partners and teachers. We worship a deity that is both male and female, a mother Goddess and father God, who together created all that is, was, or will be. We respect life, cherish the free will of sentient beings, and accept the sacredness of all creation."
Edain McCoy
Some Things Witches Are and Aren't
from "Power of the Witch" by Laurie Cabot
Witches do not do evil.
We believe that doing evil is against all ethical and moral laws. Further, Witchcraft tells us "An' ye harm none, do what thou will".
Witches do not worship Satan.
We do not have a Satan/Devil or any all-evil deity in our religious structure. Witchcraft is a religion that underscores polarity and views the God and the Goddess as equal entities.
A male Witch is not a Warlock.
The word Warlock is a Scottish word meaning "oath breaker", and became a term designating a male Witch during the "burning times". A male Witch is called a Witch.
Witches wear clothing of every color and every style.
Many Witches do chose to wear black clothing or ritual robes. The color black is the culmination of all vibrational rates of light on the material plane. Black absorbs light information and helps Witches be more receptive to psychic impressions and energy.
Witches come from every socio-economic and ethnic background.
Many Witches are professional people holding positions of responsibility such as Doctors, Nurses, Police Officers, Teachers, etc. Witchcraft does not discriminate against color or ethnic background and does view everything as equal in the eyes of the Goddess and God.
Witches do use spells.
A spell is a thought, a projection, or a prayer. Other religions use prayer, meditation, projection, or ritual to produce an intended result. The word "spell" does not imply doing evil or harm.
Witches do use magic wands.
Often you see the use of magic wands in children's cartoons and movies making the idea seem frivolous. In actuality, they are used in healing for directing energy.
Witches do use Witchcraft as a science, an art, and a religion.
They use their knowledge and magic in harmony with the Universe and Nature around them.
The word "Witch" has a deep and rich history.
As defined by the English Oxford dictionary "Witchcraft" is a Celtic (pronounced Kell-tick) word meaning "the wise, good people". "Wicce" (Wick-kay) designates a female Witch whereas "Wicca" (Wick-kah) designates a male Witch.
In the religion of Witchcraft we view the pentacle as an amulet and a symbol of protection.
The five-pointed star represents the human body and the Earth. In combination, the star surrounded by the circle represents the human body encompassed by the protection of the Goddess/God force. The pentacle is the symbol for Universal Wisdom.
Witches do concern themselves with ecology.
They have never forgotten the basic fact: The world is not our enemy. Neither is it inert, dumb matter. The Earth and all living things share the same life force. They are composed of patterns of intelligence, of knowledge, and of divinity. All life is a web. We are woven into it as sisters and brothers of All. Witches need to be grounded in both worlds and awake to their responsibility in both worlds. It is only by being responsible human beings that we can be responsible Witches and only responsible Witches will survive.
You are listening to "Orinoco Flow" by Enya
