Wiccan Basics
This column is FYI… It is all about the basics… Basic info on tools, traditions and Sabbat.. And everything in between. I will post something every month .. Maybe tools, may be important people in Paganism, may be color correspondences. If you are looking for information.. Look no further..
Basic Facts
Wicca
Wicca is an earth-based religion that is centered on the respect of all things living.
Goddess
Goddess is Great Mother Goddess. She wears many faces, to me she is The Goddess.. but to others she might be Aphrodite or Kuan-Yin. She is in everything, in every person or plant or rock. You can speak to her and pray to her.
She takes many forms. She is the moon, and is often thought of as the Triple Goddess as manifested in the Maiden, the Mother, and the Crone. Her symbol is a full moon flanked by crescent moons. According to Wicca, there is both a Goddess and a God.
The God is the Sun. He is the hunter and Green Man; the father. Goddess and God are lovers. They are equals. They are in everything, according to tradition.
Devil
Wicca is in no way devil worship. In fact, Wicca as a religion does not even believe in a devil. Although pictures of God or Goddess may have horns, this was normal in ancient times and was not a sign of evil.
Pentacle/Pentagram
The point-up pentacle is not the sign of the devil. The five-pointed star is called a pentagram, when inside a circle it is called a pentacle. The circular board that has symbols (such as pentagrams and triangles) carved into it is also called a pentacle. It is used by Wiccans as one of their magical tools.
Laws/Rules
There are not many rules in Wicca, but one that most Wiccans follow is the Wiccan Rede (also known as the Wiccan Law, Wiccan Rule, etc.): An it harm none do what thou wilt – sounds simple but it is very hard to do. To know in your heart that your action will harm no one.
Another law some Wiccans follow is the Threefold Law or Law of Three. It is that what you do, good or bad, will come back to you three times.
Some believe in Karma, which is similar to the Threefold Law, except that what you give comes back equally as strong.
However, each person must decide for her or himself.
Other Religions
Wicca is not a coercive religion. Meaning, we do not convert or brainwash people. We respect other religions and paths, the only time we have a problem is when another religion wishes harm upon us.
Magick
Many Wiccans and other Pagans spell magic with a k (magick). This is to differentiate it from stage magic.. Whatever you choose is fine — some even spell it “magyk.”
Warlock
Wicca can be practiced by both men and women. Male witches or Wiccans are not called warlocks; The word warlock means “twister of truth or betrayer ” and is an insult to male witches.
Witchcraft vs. Wicca
Witchcraft and Wicca are sometimes used to mean the same thing. Usually, though, Wicca refers to the way of life the “religious” part , and Witchcraft refers to the practice of magick the spells part.
“The Broom Closet”
When a Pagan, especially a Wiccan, speaks of “coming out of the broom closet,” they are talking about revealing their religion to their family and friends. Often this can be a traumatic moment. It depends on the open mindedness of your family.
Solitary Wicca vs. Coven Wicca
When a Wiccan practices alone, she or he is called a “Solitary .” When she or he practices with a group (known as a coven), she or he is part of a tradition.. The majority of modern-day Wiccans, in fact, are probably Solitaries. They either cannot find a coven near them, the coven does not fit their needs, they simply prefer to work alone, etc.
Stereotypes
Witches are not green-skinned, warty old crones. We are also not black-clad, pierced, and tattooed (though individual Witches might be). We look like anyone else unless we wish to call attention to ourselves. Anyone who threatens to turn you into a toad is probably not Wiccan.
Spells:
Black, Grey, and White Magic – Most Wiccans do cast spells. However, they are not at all like the ones you see on TV. They are not instant, and there is a certain format that they follow. Also, interfering with someone’s will counts as harming them, so spells that make another person fall in love with you, etc. are out. Almost all Wiccans try to practice what is commonly called “white magic.”
Who Are We?
All Wiccans are not “born witches.” Although some of us have “inherited” the religion from our parents, many Wiccans are what they are by conscious decision.
Becoming Wiccan
Several people have asked how to convert to Wicca. You cannot convert. That would mean that you give up all that your believed before. Initiated is what you would become. As that is the next step in your life built upon what you have learned in the past.
Language
Wiccan have words that we use with each other. One such saying is “Merry meet and merry part until we merry meet again!” (or “Merry meet, merry part, and merry meet again”, etc.) Because of this we often greet each other by saying “merry meet” and part by saying “merry part”. We also say — usually upon parting — “blessed be” or “brightest blessings.” (In chat rooms , these are often abbreviated to MM, MP, and BB.)
Acceptance
The Wiccan/Pagan community is open to everybody. We tend to accept you for who you are not your race, gender, past religion, sexual orientation, age, etc.
Sexuality
Wicca considers sexuality a sacred and powerful thing. We don’t have rules against homosexuality, sex before marriage, etc. We believe those are personal choices, and must be wisely considered and decided.
HOWEVER: that does not mean that we encourage “promiscuous” behavior. Sacred things must be treated with respect, and each individual needs to decide their own guidelines. Except that we do follow the Laws of our Countries and do not allow minors to be involved in sexual rituals.
Also, a word about nude rituals: you may hear of rituals being preformed “skyclad” — naked. This is NOT forced, of course. Some solitaries and covens choose to perform ritual free of limitations. This is only covens of over-18 members
Blessing until next Month
S.Dunham