What is Wicca?

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 TV. 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 to you than you think.
-Margot Adler, Drawing Down the Moon, p.4553

The first thing that you should know is that Wicca is a form of Paganism. Paganism is one of the oldest religions in the world. Wicca is a religion that combines traditional pagan beliefs with today's beliefs and adapts to today's society. The same rituals are observed, but are more susceptable to today's culture.

Now that you know what Wicca is, you should know what Wiccans believe. Wiccans worship two Deities, the Goddess and the God. The main difference between Wicca and other religions is that Wicca sees the Deities within us and Nature instead of as distant beings. With this belief, one could say that there is nothing that isn't of the Gods.

Wicca is a "variation" of Paganism. In this same way, there are many different "variations" of Wicca. The reason for this? There are no set rules... no laws, and no book. How can this be? Wicca is a "personally structured" religion. The ONLY "rule" that most Witches abide by is the Wiccan Rede. It is summed up with this statement:

"An' it harm none, do as Ye will."

Not only does this apply to nature or other people but it applies to yourself! Most Witches also believe that what you do comes back to you, usually multiplied. For example, if you hurt a person, hurt would come back to you and it would possibly be in a magnified amount. All this can be summed up and you should remember to think before you take action.

Wiccans, or Witches, perform Magick. This is not the same kind of Magick you see on TV, for that is merely illusions. The basic description of Wiccan Magick is that a Wiccan will use the forces of Nature to bring a change that is needed. This can be done by ritual, visualization/meditation, and also by just having respect for everything and everyone around us.

Wiccans believe in and respect the elements. The elements are: Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Spirit.

One misconception is that Wiccans, or Witches, are evil, practicing Black Magick and cursing people. Witches can't fly and look like ordinary human. Some Witches find this image to be offensive, while others find it amusing.

Other basic Wiccan principles are the eight festivals, called the Sabbats, which are performed every year. Wiccans perform a lot of rituals on full moons because these days are days of most power.

It is advised, as with any other religion, that one researches Wicca before making a "commitment." A religion is a huge change and is not to be taken lightly. Wicca is not to be used to get what you want, simply put. There is no such religion.

NEW:Many people have been thinking that because Wicca is Witchcraft, this means that it is of Satan. Let's clear this up. Wicca, first of all is not of Satan, and in fact Wiccans do not acknowledge an evil power. Satan is a Christian creation, and quite frankly... that is OK with Wiccans. Christians can have Satan to themselves. Wiccans do not perform blood sacrafices or use Magick to influence others. Using it to harm others is a violation of the Wiccan Rede and is only to be used as a means of getting closer to the deity and to aid in doing good to the earth and nature.

Which? Witch?
Some Wiccans prefer to call themselves Wiccans instead of Witches because of the bad usually associated with the word Witch. Others like to call themselves a Witch as a way of removing the bad name from the word. Whatver you like, its basically the same.

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