The Misunderstood Religion Wicca The Misunderstood Religion

SOME COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS Witchcraft and New Age Wicca are the same thing. It is a devil-worshipping religion. All magic is “Black Magic” meant to hurt others.

MORE COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS Wicca is a rebellious phase a majority of teenagers go through to scare their parents. Witches think they can do “Harry Potter” magic. Male witches are warlocks.

THE TRUTH ABOUT WICCA Witchcraft and “New Age Wicca” or “Modern Druidism” are from different time periods; thousands of years between the two time periods in fact. Witchcraft is believed to have originated in Western Europe at least 7,000 years ago, well before Christianity and Judaism. It is a nature-based religious system.

MORE TRUTH ABOUT WICCA “New Age Wicca” was a movement started by “hippies” in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s as a type of rebellion. Many “Real” witches refuse to be known as wiccans because of the hippie generation. Many people watched the “New Age Wiccan” movement as a joke.

EVEN MORE TRUTH ABOUT WICCA Wicca does not believe in a devil, and while there is “Black Magic” meant to hurt people, there is also “White Magic” meant to help and guide people. In reality, “Magic” used in spells and incantations will not save you from oversized snakes, trolls, and Voldermort-like individuals. Male Wiccans are also witches. The term “Warlock” has a different meaning.

WHAT IS WICCA? It is a polytheistic, natural religion, first practiced by Druids in Europe about 7,000 years ago. Wicca maintains a significantly large following today, especially among young adults. Uses rituals, spells, and mediation as main ways to worship. No set practices; there are many variations.

MAIN PRINCIPLES Wiccans do not believe in sin like Catholics do. The Wiccan Rede is the guiding “golden” rule. The Rede says it is acceptable to do anything, as long as no one (including yourself) is harmed by its doing. Otherwise, the law of three will get you.

BELIEFS There is both a God and Goddess (everything balances), although the Goddess is focused on more and is more important in the practice of Wicca. The different aspects of these two elements (God and Goddess) are broken down into different deities. Nature is sacred and brings one closer to the Goddess.

INITIATION A person may choose to be a solitary or group practitioner, or even a bit of both. Typically, a person studies for a year and a day before dedicating themselves to the Goddess. Celtic Goddess Brigid

INITIATION Initiation can be done alone or with others. It can be an elaborate ceremony or just a small prayer. It is not unusual for a Wiccan to adopt a craft name at this time, signifying rebirth into the religion.

THE WHEEL OF THE YEAR

THE BOOK OF SHADOWS The Book of Shadows is the witch’s version of the Bible. It is the place to write down spells, charms, potions, etc. No two Books of Shadows are the same, since everyone makes their own.

DEATH AND REINCARNATION Witches believe in reincarnation. When the body dies, the soul goes to the Summerland, where it reflects on its life. Once done reflecting, the soul is reincarnated. This reincarnation process happens numerous times. When the soul is worn out, it is returned to the “Greater Spirit.”