D Being a Wiccan who has been practicing for a long time , I have had many people ask me questions about the religion . I decided to take a light hearted approach on revealing the true meaning of Wicca and Witchcraft . It is not about spells , potions , and chants it’s about dispelling the myths and stigma attached to the word witch or witchcraft .
I sure get a kick out of the way the word witch conjures up some of Hollywood’s more iconic portrayals . Stuff like that makes me laugh because it is such a skewed look on a person who is a witch. Have you ever called someone an old hag , evil witch , witchy , or my favourite broom Hilda ? She’s a wicked old witch ! She cackles like a witch? She’s riding her broom again today ? She’s just mad because a tornado dropped a house from Kansas on her sister ? All you need is the pointed hat and a wart on your nose and your attitude will match your look ? I have heard many of these terms to describe witches or nasty evil people . My favourite has to be that symbol around your neck, Pointing to our pentacles around our necks . You worship THE DEVIL . More on this later .
I have been a practicing Wiccan for a long time . I wasn’t raised as such it was a personal choice . I was the member of another world religion for 13 years . After having to go every Sunday , as well as holiday masses for 13 years I just didn’t get it anymore . I would always question others about possibilities of other phenomena . I would listen about other religions of my friends . They all seemed close but each had a little twist that made the rituals and celebrations different . Finally , at 14 I took a stand and started to become a non practicing religious person . When I was 26 I started to do some research into ancient earth religions . I took the next 2 years to pour over books about the old religions , and the customs and practices .
I was into my 2nd year of research when I stumbled across the Wiccan religion . I like everyone else had an opinion about what I thought it was all about . It wasn’t about the spells , magick or curses it was more about working with earth energies and positive thinking . As I read on it was extremely interesting and yet it had a kind of deja vu vibe attached to it . I didn’t know why at the time but I found out later what attracted me to becoming a Wiccan.
Wiccan and many other pagan or earth religions have been practiced since the dawn of time . Many of the earliest inhabitants of earth , Egyptians ,Greeks , Mesopotamians , Romans , and the Norse peoples to name a few all prayed to both gods and goddesses . They worshipped the sun , the moon and the heavens . They celebrated the seasons and earths changes with great feasting and ceremonies of thanks to the Immortals . These pioneers are where we get our customs for our holiday celebrations . Most of the holidays we celebrate in modern times all have borrowed from ancient religions customs and colours These ancients religions have been adapted to the modern religions of today . For a time , people had a choice about worship until Ancient Roman Emperors decided to demonstrate the countries ruling power and a new symbol of hope for the people . This is when Roman Catholicism was adopted .
It didn’t happen overnight . . It wasn’t until the Roman Empire ,who at one time was in control of 2 thirds of the worlds population , that it was decided to unite all religions under one roof . The Roman Emperor Constantine I gathered a council at Nicaea in 325 AD and instituted laws of the Roman Catholic church . It was then that the Pagans and other ancient religions were abolished . . or were they?
It was around this turbulent event that inverted pentagrams were showing up as a mocking of Constantine and his faith conversion tactics. He then tied it to the Horned Goat God Baphomet in the inverted pentagram . The 2 upper points represent the Horns Of the Devil . Seen as the Goat of Lust attacking God and the Heavens with it's Horns . In this reversed state the pentagram became a symbol of evil . It attracts sinister forces because it overturns the proper order of things and demonstrates the triumph of matter over spirit . Now here's the crazy part . . . . Constantine wore a ring seal that had a pentagram called the witches foot and a version of a cross ! !
People went into hiding ,and left the new regime , to practise their heathen deemed religions in secrecy . In families the old ways were taught and handed down through the generations . The modern world has no time for such nonsense . These out dated ways of worship were seen as a crime . But how with the technological boom , world wars , the modern age , and an all out Witch hunt anihilation of thousands did these practices survive ? How does an extinct religion grow and become stronger than ever ? Tolerance, wisdom and time .
Witches have been called many different names . Shaman , Healer , Sages , Elders , Medicine man or woman , Witchdoctor , wizards , warlocks , shape shifters , Druids , and the list goes on and on . All through history there have been a select number of people that have been identified with one of these terms . The word witch comes from the Anglo Saxon word wicce , meaning wise one or sorceress . Wicca the religion is derived from that word . Some claim that it comes from the word wicker meaning to bend , and others say that it is from the ancient Norse word Wicca that was used for the collective healers of that era . These people were able to help heal sickness , interpret visions or dreams , and were in tune with the earth . They were venerated and held in high order in there communities until the Burning Times and the Witch Hunts started back in the 13th century during the Inquisition .
It is estimated that during the Inquisition 30,000 people all victims were tried, convicted, and sentenced to death from Witchcraft persecution, most from the Catholic church. The figures for judicial executions of heretics, notably the Cathari and the Waldensians, were included in the total. All judicial executions which took place during the Catholic "civil war" (the Avignon Papacy) were included. The definition of "witch" was changed to include "heretic". This definitional change mirrors the change that took place in the Papacy ‘s construction of demonic witchcraft .The "facts" of the situation where "changed" when the definition of the term "witch" was changed . "Witch" was defined as "not-orthodox" and included all heretics and non-Christians. In Europe the period of the major witch hunts 1550 - 1675, in England , Scotland , and Great Britian was labelled the Burning Times . The estimated number executed during the Burning Times for heresy or witchcraft is between 200,000 and 500,000 people . Once again Wiccans went into hiding .
In England in the 1930’s , Dr. Gerald Brousseau Gardner stumbled upon a coven of practicing witches and learned the true meaning of witchcraft . He found that witches were benign people , who were closely in tune with nature and believed in their first and only commandment and it harm none ,do what you will . Wiccans obey the Karmic or three fold law which is whatever you do good or bad , will come back to you 3 fold .Gardner was astonished to learn that witches were far from being Satanists and devil worshippers conducting black magic rituals in there workings of evil . Wiccans don’t even believe in hell ,fire or the devil . Its not that they don’t believe in evil , Wiccans feel that humankind creates its own evils and that such atrocities will be handled through the Karmic laws and the lessons of reincarnation not banishment to a fiery pit . Having to repeat our life lessons over and over until we get them right through reincarnation , is much worse than any hell I could ever dream up .
Wicca like any other religion also has guidelines and ethics to follow . Like most religions we believe in the Triad of the Divinity with a bit of a twist . Since the Craft is a matriarchal religion , we worship the triple Goddess and the triple God . I myself take it one step further I believe that the Goddess rules the seasons of spring and summer and the God rules the fall and winter . I also believe in the duality of Godhead meaning that gods were both male and female . Everyone is made up of X and Y chromosomes . It’s just which set wins that determines your sex . Everyone still is both male and female . This brings balance when we celebrate our festivals and holidays during the wheel of the year our Wiccan calander .
The distinct differences that set Wiccans apart from other religions are also unique . Being an Earth Religion Wiccans hold their rituals outdoors and not in a church or building . Wiccans celebrate the changing of the seasons and as well the power and lifeforce of the sun , moon and heavens . Since they live in harmony with nature they also share an understanding that even inanimate objects like stones have a life spirit and purpose equal to our own . Gardner confirmed theories of Dr. Margaret Murray as well as many others and was the first to stand up for witches and speak as one of them in presenting their side about the Wiccan religion .
Since that time there has been many books on the practices and the belief of Wicca as well as different paths and traditions in it’s structure . The wiccan religion has many different religious sectors . We call them Traditions . Some of the more common ones are Dianic , Gardnerian , Alexandrian , Hereditary , and Family tradition . I belong to the Georgian tradition , a very eclectic group whose teachings are rooted in Gardnerianism , Alexandrianism with Celtic influence .
Wiccans also have a choice to practice in a Coven or as I am a Solitary . A coven is made up of 13 wiccans . 6 males , 6 females and the High Priest or Priestess . During their meeting the group will use their collective power to cast spells , raise power , heal , or work Magic . As members of the coven achieve levels of initiation they may too become a High Priest or Priestess and start their own Coven .
A Solitary is a Wiccan who practises on their own . They have the freedom to conduct things their own way without interruption or squabbles about proper methodology . Solitaires are leaders and are usually much more advanced in wisdom and learning about the Craft . That is why they choose to go it alone in a personal quest for knowledge and understanding . I have achieved much more on my own than I would in a Coven . I am not a follower and how does someone know what is right for you ? I have my way of doing things that have never failed me and it was all self taught and practised . But then it’s like that with anything I do .
Recently there has been a huge interest in the Craft due to movies and television shows . Even though many of the shows skew the possibilities of magic with special effects it still has enough of a truth base to compel interest in people to do research of their own . Wiccans also still have to deal with misconceptions and persecution even to this day . Most of which have been a one side view of what a witch or wizard really looks like .
Wiccans don’t wear pointy hats and shoes , have bad teeth , ride brooms and cackle , or warts on their noses they blend in . Most Wiccans wear black clothes and have an almost wise gaze of wisdom in their eyes . We are very good in predicting weather patterns , and seasonal changes being in tune with the Earth . And I bet you know someone who’s a Wiccan and don’t even know it yet . As I hinted to earlier once the perfect trust is achieved that is usually when you’ll find out if not from someone who already knows .
Witchcraft is not about role playing games , flying on broomsticks , curses hexes , or casting spells and lighting shoots out of your wand or fingertips . You can’t snap your fingers and make money appear or win the lottery . And I don’t care if you spend years or are a practiced wiccan you’ll never be able to turn your enemies into a frog , toad , or whatever else so you can set them by the highway . The Craft is a serious ancient religion with beliefs and customs that celebrate and closely align to Nature . We’re not tree huggers by any means . We just watch and listen to the patterns and vibrations of the Places we inhabit .
I know that everything so far sounds really strange to most but some of you can really understand what I’m talking about . I have told people at some of the Parlour Theatres I’ve held that it would take me a lot longer to explain my view of Wicca so I give them a basic version of Witchcraft 101 .
If you were to throw a rock in the water what would happen ? Ripples would form out from the impact zone and depending if the water is enclosed the ripples may even break back upon themselves . That basically is the true base of our ways . Whatever we do causes a ripple effect towards every thing in the universe that we as Wiccans interact with . Our actions affect the lives of other people and we must take great care not to harm another living soul emotionally , mentally , physically or on any other level . That in itself is a pretty hard task to achieve . But that still isn’t the hardest code of ethics to adhere to . Wiccans also believe that we must learn to walk the path of perfect love , perfect trust and harm none . What does that mean perfect love? It isn’t the same as unconditional love it’s much harder to do . It means that you will be able to trust and be trusted . In order to trust one must not harm or be harmed and that covers a lot of ground .
Wiccans feel that we must learn to treat others fairly , kindly , and politely. We have to take responsibilities for our actions when we screw up and let go of the oh well attitude and the blame game . We must say “ I was mistaken“ , “I behaved poorly” , and “I’m sorry” with sincerity . Common courtesy and manners are a disappearing trait in today’s society but to us is very important . We may risk things like refinement , and becoming cultured which most may feel as losing some of their freedoms . The trade off is that we would also become happier people , feel better about ourselves and our place in society , and in doing so get back into harmony with then energy and rhythms of the Earth . Just like our ancestors and ancient cultures before us . That basically is what walking the Wiccan path or witchcraft is all about.
For followers of nature-based spiritual paths, such as the Druidry or Wicca, the vibrational changing of the seasons and the importance of darkness and light are a cause for celebration . This enduring cycle is an expression of deeper truths, and by making a conscious choice to be active participants in the natural ebb and flow of the year, wiccans can find harmony in things be it natural , personal or spiritual.
Since ancient times people have celebrated the ever-turning wheel of the year in eight Sabbats : the two solstices and the two equinoxes, and four cross-quarter days dividing the time between them. These festivals are celebrated by many Earth Religions , including the Druidic, Wiccan, Celtic and Norse paths.
The four Sabbats comprised by the solstices and equinoxes are ruled by the motion of the sun, and are considered the more masculine of the Sabbats. The solstice festivals celebrate the longest and shortest days of the year, and the equinoxes the two days when day and night are of equal length. As pivotal points of change, these four days are the most important in the cycle of light and dark during the year, and in dividing the year into quarters or quarter days. These festivals are tied to natural events, and so they do not fall on exactly the same day every year.
The cross - quarter Sabbats or 'fire festivals', and are celebrated on four days placed approximately mid-way between each successive pair of solar festivals. They celebrate the changing of the seasons, the cycle of plant growth , and are feminine and lunar sabbats . these festivals fall on the same days each year.
The Sabbats celebrate a continuous cycle which has no beginning or end, so Wiccans begin with the winter solstice or Yule .Wiccans consider the link between the old and new years to occur at Samhain.
With the festivals celebrating the natural rather than the constructed, it is no surprise that each festival is usually considered as starting at sundown on the previous day and ending at sundown on the day in question, rather than our more modern midnight to midnight. In particular, much of the celebration of Samhain does occur at the most appropriate time .
In the Celtic Tradition, the year begins at SAMHAIN, or as it is called now, Halloween. This is the night that the veil between the world of men and spirits is considered to be the thinnest, so it is of little wonder that people should think of it as a night that all sorts of things roam about. It is New Year to the Celtics and a time to try Divination. Divination is done in many forms but all seek to establish a look ahead, whether the answer appears good or bad. SAMHAIN is also considered to start the reign of the GOD or the dark time of the Year when the Sun goes lower each day and begins to weaken.
December 21 is called YULE. It is the time of the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year. From this day forward the sun again begins to grow in strength and rise to new heights each day. It is a time of celebration and gift giving. At each of the Sabbats a number of Covens will meet and those that practice solitary may come to celebrate in the festivities. Families come together traditionally to these festivals. At Yule the celebration is in honor of the Sun being reborn and its start to warm the Earth and drive the Winter from the land.
February 2nd is celebrated as Imbolc or Candlemas. This is a festival of lights. This date is approximately half way between YULE and SPRING. BRIGID was the Celtic Goddess of Fire. Candlemas is considered in some traditions as the marker point where the Mother Goddess, the Great Earth Mother marks the path for the Sun God to find her in the dark times. It is a time when the first rush of Spring may be felt in the air and the warmth of the Sun grows stronger.
March 21 is the festival of Ostara and the return to the land of life after the dead of Winter. It is a celebration of the return of growth and greenery . This festival is usually considered to be a sharing of love between the GOD and GODDESS, a period of equality, a balance between the forces of nature and man and woman. If possible this festival is done outdoors so the feeling of being close to nature is attained.
April 30th is the celebration of Beltane. This is one of the old fire festival at which BALEFIRES would be started across the country with a new fire that had been started by the Priests and hearths would be rekindled with the fresh flame. In some quarters stock would be driven between two fires , one to each side to purify the animals (not to mention get rid of pests they might be carrying). It is also considered as the coming together of the God and Goddess in fruitful union to add new life to the crops and hasten their growth.
Litha or the summer solstice on June 21st is the longest day of the year
and marks the high point reached by the Sun on its yearly journey. It is the height of Summer and the fields are green with the new crops. It is easy to stand in a woods or a field and feel the Earth around you while the Sun shines on your face.
August 2nd is the festival of Lammas which is the first harvest. The early crops are being brought in and stored for winter . The corn stands high in the fields and the days are warm and luxurious. Lammas is the time of sharing the first harvest and breads that are made from the early grains. It is a festival where sharing between all present of the harvest and its bounty forms a closeness or bond. It is a time of thankfulness to the God and Goddess for their help in the creation of a full harvest for the winter that lies ahead.
The Fall Equinox celebration of Mabon on September 21st is the exact opposite of March 21st. Both of these are times of equal night and equal day. Fall Equinox is a reminder that the Sun will now start to grow shorter each day from this point on until again at YULE the longest time of darkness will come again. This is again a time of equality between the God and Goddess, the God represented by the Sun, the Goddess by the Moon. Each represents half of one whole that is fulfilled by their joining as one. Fruitfulness of the land being the end result of their mutuality, the bounty of the harvest will be brought in and stored against winter, and the dark times. From here the next festival is again SAMHAIN and the start of a NEW YEAR.
In Wicca and other pagan traditions, there exists a practice known as circle casting . Circle casting is generally done with salt, crystals, candles or other purifying materials, and requires special rituals to be considered effective.
This circle is also believed to be an area which straddles two dimensions or realities called the "veil between worlds". It becomes a sacred space between the mundane world or physical plane and the spiritual world or astral plane.
The most common set-up for a Wiccan circle would be with four (4) candles, one at each cardinal direction: North: green for the element of Earth , East: yellow for the element of Air , South: red for the element of Fire and West: blue for the element of Water . Optionally, one could put a purple candle in the center to represent the spirit elemental or even use only white candles for each direction.
By casting a circle , it consecrates an area within this shape for either temporary or permanent protection. This circle is a barrier between the worlds to carry out magical rituals or spells without interference. Most Wiccans cast the circle deosil (clock-wise) three times: once to cleanse the circle with salt, a second time to cleanse it with water, and a third time to cleanse the circle with incense. A common incense to use is frankincense or myrrh. Three being a symbolic and powerful number in the Wiccan religion represents the Triple Deities , The Karmic Law and the cycle of life . One revolution widdershins or counter clockwise releases the circle .
However, the main reason for casting a circle is to contain the energy raised within it. As more and more energy is raised from chanting and dancing the energy becomes more concentrated. After the circle has been cast it is believed that if forms a "cone of power"; which starts on the ground as the circle shape and extends upwards to make a point, thus creating a cone shape (this is also where the shape for a "witches' hat" comes from). When magic is done being performed, the energy is then released through this point to enter the universe and serve its purpose.
The effectiveness of any barriers being created can strongly depend on how much meditation the practitioner has done, the concentration they put into the rituals, and even what direction they are facing. Most Wiccans face East and put their altars in the East to petition the sunrise, but others face North for the North Star or to start with the Earth when casting a circle.
In part one of this show I told you about the burning times in Europe from the 13th century to 1675 . One of North Americas biggest Witch Hunts happened in Salem Massachusetts where today the city embraces it’s Wiccan population and Heritage .
In January of 1692, the daughter and niece of Reverend Samuel Parris of Salem Village became ill. The village doctor, William Griggs, was called in. His diagnosis of bewitchment put into motion the forces that would ultimately result in the death by hanging of nineteen men and women. In addition, one man Giles Corry was crushed to death; seven others died in prison, and the lives of many were irrevocably changed.
To understand the events of the Salem witch trials, it is necessary to examine the times in which accusations of witchcraft occurred. There were the ordinary stresses of 17th-century life in Massachusetts Bay Colony. A strong belief in the devil, factions among Salem Village fanatics and rivalry with nearby Salem Town, a recent small pox epidemic and the threat of attack by warring tribes created a fertile ground for fear and suspicion. Soon prisons were filled with more than 150 men and women from towns surrounding Salem. Their names had been "cried out" by tormented young girls as the cause of their pain was the hexes of witches . All would await trial for a crime punishable by death in 17th-century New England, the practice of witchcraft.
In June of 1692, the special Court of Oyer (to hear) and Terminer (to decide) sat in Salem to hear the cases of witchcraft. Presided over by Chief Justice William Stoughton, the court was made up of magistrates and jurors. The first to be tried was Bridget Bishop of Salem who was found guilty and was hanged on June 10. Thirteen women and five men from all stations of life followed her to the gallows on three successive hanging days before the court was disbanded by Governor William Phipps in October of that year.
The Superior Court of Judicature, formed to replace the "witchcraft" court, did not allow spectral evidence. This belief in the power of the accused to use their invisible shapes or spectres to torture their victims had sealed the fates of those tried by the Court of Oyer and Terminer. The new court released those awaiting trial and pardoned those awaiting execution. In effect, the Salem witch trials were over. As years passed, apologies were offered, and restitution was made to the victims' families. Historians and sociologists have examined this most complex episode in our history so that we may understand the issues of that time and apply our understanding to our own society.
Since this research has been started there has been compelling evidence that the bread the villagers were eating was contaminated with a bacteria strand called ergot . This brought on hallucinations , feelings of being pinched or pricked , hearing voices and an uncontrollable fever . This was the real cause of the hysteria that lead to the execution of the people in Salem . None of them were a witch or practicing Wiccan .
Since the mid 1960 the Wiccan religion has grown in both numbers and understanding . People have had a need to return to the old ways for answers . With all the daily distractions , technology , and stress wiccans prefer to live as close to nature as possible . They usually don’t watch or read news , watch tv , have a phone , and live with basic needs . We know that we can’t take it with us , so why do we need it . We don’t measure each other’s value or worth by numbers of toys or trinkets but by knowledge and Life lessons .
Wiccans are pretty laid back people and usually takes a lot to get them upset . They are a charismatic group and when gathered in numbers can really change the life of a room . We can blend in but can also take the reins if needed . It is the job of the Wise Ones to protect both the secrets of the ancient’s and the Earth energies . It can sometimes be a lonely life due to society still being leary of the word witch . Many people when thy find out what you are usually don’t treat you the same . You are weird or out there because of your ways of thinking and views of life . But Wiccans don’t strive for acceptance from the outside world , only from ourselves .
So there’s a very brief outline of what the Wiccan religion is rooted in . What you have to understand is that we could do many shows about the customs and practices of Wicca but I’ll point you to a few books that I feel give a no bones approach to understanding the Craft . To understand about strictly initiations , how to run a coven and circle casting Book of Shadows by Lady Sheba is very good . If you want a no holds barred approach to understanding everything about Wicca the book The Craft A Witch’s Book of Shadows by Dorothy Morrison is a must have . It teaches you all you need to know about circle and spell casting , crafting your own tools , rituals , history and Wiccan Ethics . If you want a Wiccan calender The Witch’s Almanac 2009 by Llewellyn Books is a daily codex of sun and moon phases ,holidays , articles , web addresses , books and everything witchcraft . Also feel free to E mail me all your questions about Wicca .
I sure get a kick out of the way the word witch conjures up some of Hollywood’s more iconic portrayals . Stuff like that makes me laugh because it is such a skewed look on a person who is a witch. Have you ever called someone an old hag , evil witch , witchy , or my favourite broom Hilda ? She’s a wicked old witch ! She cackles like a witch? She’s riding her broom again today ? She’s just mad because a tornado dropped a house from Kansas on her sister ? All you need is the pointed hat and a wart on your nose and your attitude will match your look ? I have heard many of these terms to describe witches or nasty evil people . My favourite has to be that symbol around your neck, Pointing to our pentacles around our necks . You worship THE DEVIL . More on this later .
I have been a practicing Wiccan for a long time . I wasn’t raised as such it was a personal choice . I was the member of another world religion for 13 years . After having to go every Sunday , as well as holiday masses for 13 years I just didn’t get it anymore . I would always question others about possibilities of other phenomena . I would listen about other religions of my friends . They all seemed close but each had a little twist that made the rituals and celebrations different . Finally , at 14 I took a stand and started to become a non practicing religious person . When I was 26 I started to do some research into ancient earth religions . I took the next 2 years to pour over books about the old religions , and the customs and practices .
I was into my 2nd year of research when I stumbled across the Wiccan religion . I like everyone else had an opinion about what I thought it was all about . It wasn’t about the spells , magick or curses it was more about working with earth energies and positive thinking . As I read on it was extremely interesting and yet it had a kind of deja vu vibe attached to it . I didn’t know why at the time but I found out later what attracted me to becoming a Wiccan.
Wiccan and many other pagan or earth religions have been practiced since the dawn of time . Many of the earliest inhabitants of earth , Egyptians ,Greeks , Mesopotamians , Romans , and the Norse peoples to name a few all prayed to both gods and goddesses . They worshipped the sun , the moon and the heavens . They celebrated the seasons and earths changes with great feasting and ceremonies of thanks to the Immortals . These pioneers are where we get our customs for our holiday celebrations . Most of the holidays we celebrate in modern times all have borrowed from ancient religions customs and colours These ancients religions have been adapted to the modern religions of today . For a time , people had a choice about worship until Ancient Roman Emperors decided to demonstrate the countries ruling power and a new symbol of hope for the people . This is when Roman Catholicism was adopted .
It didn’t happen overnight . . It wasn’t until the Roman Empire ,who at one time was in control of 2 thirds of the worlds population , that it was decided to unite all religions under one roof . The Roman Emperor Constantine I gathered a council at Nicaea in 325 AD and instituted laws of the Roman Catholic church . It was then that the Pagans and other ancient religions were abolished . . or were they?
It was around this turbulent event that inverted pentagrams were showing up as a mocking of Constantine and his faith conversion tactics. He then tied it to the Horned Goat God Baphomet in the inverted pentagram . The 2 upper points represent the Horns Of the Devil . Seen as the Goat of Lust attacking God and the Heavens with it's Horns . In this reversed state the pentagram became a symbol of evil . It attracts sinister forces because it overturns the proper order of things and demonstrates the triumph of matter over spirit . Now here's the crazy part . . . . Constantine wore a ring seal that had a pentagram called the witches foot and a version of a cross ! !
People went into hiding ,and left the new regime , to practise their heathen deemed religions in secrecy . In families the old ways were taught and handed down through the generations . The modern world has no time for such nonsense . These out dated ways of worship were seen as a crime . But how with the technological boom , world wars , the modern age , and an all out Witch hunt anihilation of thousands did these practices survive ? How does an extinct religion grow and become stronger than ever ? Tolerance, wisdom and time .
Witches have been called many different names . Shaman , Healer , Sages , Elders , Medicine man or woman , Witchdoctor , wizards , warlocks , shape shifters , Druids , and the list goes on and on . All through history there have been a select number of people that have been identified with one of these terms . The word witch comes from the Anglo Saxon word wicce , meaning wise one or sorceress . Wicca the religion is derived from that word . Some claim that it comes from the word wicker meaning to bend , and others say that it is from the ancient Norse word Wicca that was used for the collective healers of that era . These people were able to help heal sickness , interpret visions or dreams , and were in tune with the earth . They were venerated and held in high order in there communities until the Burning Times and the Witch Hunts started back in the 13th century during the Inquisition .
It is estimated that during the Inquisition 30,000 people all victims were tried, convicted, and sentenced to death from Witchcraft persecution, most from the Catholic church. The figures for judicial executions of heretics, notably the Cathari and the Waldensians, were included in the total. All judicial executions which took place during the Catholic "civil war" (the Avignon Papacy) were included. The definition of "witch" was changed to include "heretic". This definitional change mirrors the change that took place in the Papacy ‘s construction of demonic witchcraft .The "facts" of the situation where "changed" when the definition of the term "witch" was changed . "Witch" was defined as "not-orthodox" and included all heretics and non-Christians. In Europe the period of the major witch hunts 1550 - 1675, in England , Scotland , and Great Britian was labelled the Burning Times . The estimated number executed during the Burning Times for heresy or witchcraft is between 200,000 and 500,000 people . Once again Wiccans went into hiding .
In England in the 1930’s , Dr. Gerald Brousseau Gardner stumbled upon a coven of practicing witches and learned the true meaning of witchcraft . He found that witches were benign people , who were closely in tune with nature and believed in their first and only commandment and it harm none ,do what you will . Wiccans obey the Karmic or three fold law which is whatever you do good or bad , will come back to you 3 fold .Gardner was astonished to learn that witches were far from being Satanists and devil worshippers conducting black magic rituals in there workings of evil . Wiccans don’t even believe in hell ,fire or the devil . Its not that they don’t believe in evil , Wiccans feel that humankind creates its own evils and that such atrocities will be handled through the Karmic laws and the lessons of reincarnation not banishment to a fiery pit . Having to repeat our life lessons over and over until we get them right through reincarnation , is much worse than any hell I could ever dream up .
Wicca like any other religion also has guidelines and ethics to follow . Like most religions we believe in the Triad of the Divinity with a bit of a twist . Since the Craft is a matriarchal religion , we worship the triple Goddess and the triple God . I myself take it one step further I believe that the Goddess rules the seasons of spring and summer and the God rules the fall and winter . I also believe in the duality of Godhead meaning that gods were both male and female . Everyone is made up of X and Y chromosomes . It’s just which set wins that determines your sex . Everyone still is both male and female . This brings balance when we celebrate our festivals and holidays during the wheel of the year our Wiccan calander .
The distinct differences that set Wiccans apart from other religions are also unique . Being an Earth Religion Wiccans hold their rituals outdoors and not in a church or building . Wiccans celebrate the changing of the seasons and as well the power and lifeforce of the sun , moon and heavens . Since they live in harmony with nature they also share an understanding that even inanimate objects like stones have a life spirit and purpose equal to our own . Gardner confirmed theories of Dr. Margaret Murray as well as many others and was the first to stand up for witches and speak as one of them in presenting their side about the Wiccan religion .
Since that time there has been many books on the practices and the belief of Wicca as well as different paths and traditions in it’s structure . The wiccan religion has many different religious sectors . We call them Traditions . Some of the more common ones are Dianic , Gardnerian , Alexandrian , Hereditary , and Family tradition . I belong to the Georgian tradition , a very eclectic group whose teachings are rooted in Gardnerianism , Alexandrianism with Celtic influence .
Wiccans also have a choice to practice in a Coven or as I am a Solitary . A coven is made up of 13 wiccans . 6 males , 6 females and the High Priest or Priestess . During their meeting the group will use their collective power to cast spells , raise power , heal , or work Magic . As members of the coven achieve levels of initiation they may too become a High Priest or Priestess and start their own Coven .
A Solitary is a Wiccan who practises on their own . They have the freedom to conduct things their own way without interruption or squabbles about proper methodology . Solitaires are leaders and are usually much more advanced in wisdom and learning about the Craft . That is why they choose to go it alone in a personal quest for knowledge and understanding . I have achieved much more on my own than I would in a Coven . I am not a follower and how does someone know what is right for you ? I have my way of doing things that have never failed me and it was all self taught and practised . But then it’s like that with anything I do .
Recently there has been a huge interest in the Craft due to movies and television shows . Even though many of the shows skew the possibilities of magic with special effects it still has enough of a truth base to compel interest in people to do research of their own . Wiccans also still have to deal with misconceptions and persecution even to this day . Most of which have been a one side view of what a witch or wizard really looks like .
Wiccans don’t wear pointy hats and shoes , have bad teeth , ride brooms and cackle , or warts on their noses they blend in . Most Wiccans wear black clothes and have an almost wise gaze of wisdom in their eyes . We are very good in predicting weather patterns , and seasonal changes being in tune with the Earth . And I bet you know someone who’s a Wiccan and don’t even know it yet . As I hinted to earlier once the perfect trust is achieved that is usually when you’ll find out if not from someone who already knows .
Witchcraft is not about role playing games , flying on broomsticks , curses hexes , or casting spells and lighting shoots out of your wand or fingertips . You can’t snap your fingers and make money appear or win the lottery . And I don’t care if you spend years or are a practiced wiccan you’ll never be able to turn your enemies into a frog , toad , or whatever else so you can set them by the highway . The Craft is a serious ancient religion with beliefs and customs that celebrate and closely align to Nature . We’re not tree huggers by any means . We just watch and listen to the patterns and vibrations of the Places we inhabit .
I know that everything so far sounds really strange to most but some of you can really understand what I’m talking about . I have told people at some of the Parlour Theatres I’ve held that it would take me a lot longer to explain my view of Wicca so I give them a basic version of Witchcraft 101 .
If you were to throw a rock in the water what would happen ? Ripples would form out from the impact zone and depending if the water is enclosed the ripples may even break back upon themselves . That basically is the true base of our ways . Whatever we do causes a ripple effect towards every thing in the universe that we as Wiccans interact with . Our actions affect the lives of other people and we must take great care not to harm another living soul emotionally , mentally , physically or on any other level . That in itself is a pretty hard task to achieve . But that still isn’t the hardest code of ethics to adhere to . Wiccans also believe that we must learn to walk the path of perfect love , perfect trust and harm none . What does that mean perfect love? It isn’t the same as unconditional love it’s much harder to do . It means that you will be able to trust and be trusted . In order to trust one must not harm or be harmed and that covers a lot of ground .
Wiccans feel that we must learn to treat others fairly , kindly , and politely. We have to take responsibilities for our actions when we screw up and let go of the oh well attitude and the blame game . We must say “ I was mistaken“ , “I behaved poorly” , and “I’m sorry” with sincerity . Common courtesy and manners are a disappearing trait in today’s society but to us is very important . We may risk things like refinement , and becoming cultured which most may feel as losing some of their freedoms . The trade off is that we would also become happier people , feel better about ourselves and our place in society , and in doing so get back into harmony with then energy and rhythms of the Earth . Just like our ancestors and ancient cultures before us . That basically is what walking the Wiccan path or witchcraft is all about.
For followers of nature-based spiritual paths, such as the Druidry or Wicca, the vibrational changing of the seasons and the importance of darkness and light are a cause for celebration . This enduring cycle is an expression of deeper truths, and by making a conscious choice to be active participants in the natural ebb and flow of the year, wiccans can find harmony in things be it natural , personal or spiritual.
Since ancient times people have celebrated the ever-turning wheel of the year in eight Sabbats : the two solstices and the two equinoxes, and four cross-quarter days dividing the time between them. These festivals are celebrated by many Earth Religions , including the Druidic, Wiccan, Celtic and Norse paths.
The four Sabbats comprised by the solstices and equinoxes are ruled by the motion of the sun, and are considered the more masculine of the Sabbats. The solstice festivals celebrate the longest and shortest days of the year, and the equinoxes the two days when day and night are of equal length. As pivotal points of change, these four days are the most important in the cycle of light and dark during the year, and in dividing the year into quarters or quarter days. These festivals are tied to natural events, and so they do not fall on exactly the same day every year.
The cross - quarter Sabbats or 'fire festivals', and are celebrated on four days placed approximately mid-way between each successive pair of solar festivals. They celebrate the changing of the seasons, the cycle of plant growth , and are feminine and lunar sabbats . these festivals fall on the same days each year.
The Sabbats celebrate a continuous cycle which has no beginning or end, so Wiccans begin with the winter solstice or Yule .Wiccans consider the link between the old and new years to occur at Samhain.
With the festivals celebrating the natural rather than the constructed, it is no surprise that each festival is usually considered as starting at sundown on the previous day and ending at sundown on the day in question, rather than our more modern midnight to midnight. In particular, much of the celebration of Samhain does occur at the most appropriate time .
In the Celtic Tradition, the year begins at SAMHAIN, or as it is called now, Halloween. This is the night that the veil between the world of men and spirits is considered to be the thinnest, so it is of little wonder that people should think of it as a night that all sorts of things roam about. It is New Year to the Celtics and a time to try Divination. Divination is done in many forms but all seek to establish a look ahead, whether the answer appears good or bad. SAMHAIN is also considered to start the reign of the GOD or the dark time of the Year when the Sun goes lower each day and begins to weaken.
December 21 is called YULE. It is the time of the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year. From this day forward the sun again begins to grow in strength and rise to new heights each day. It is a time of celebration and gift giving. At each of the Sabbats a number of Covens will meet and those that practice solitary may come to celebrate in the festivities. Families come together traditionally to these festivals. At Yule the celebration is in honor of the Sun being reborn and its start to warm the Earth and drive the Winter from the land.
February 2nd is celebrated as Imbolc or Candlemas. This is a festival of lights. This date is approximately half way between YULE and SPRING. BRIGID was the Celtic Goddess of Fire. Candlemas is considered in some traditions as the marker point where the Mother Goddess, the Great Earth Mother marks the path for the Sun God to find her in the dark times. It is a time when the first rush of Spring may be felt in the air and the warmth of the Sun grows stronger.
March 21 is the festival of Ostara and the return to the land of life after the dead of Winter. It is a celebration of the return of growth and greenery . This festival is usually considered to be a sharing of love between the GOD and GODDESS, a period of equality, a balance between the forces of nature and man and woman. If possible this festival is done outdoors so the feeling of being close to nature is attained.
April 30th is the celebration of Beltane. This is one of the old fire festival at which BALEFIRES would be started across the country with a new fire that had been started by the Priests and hearths would be rekindled with the fresh flame. In some quarters stock would be driven between two fires , one to each side to purify the animals (not to mention get rid of pests they might be carrying). It is also considered as the coming together of the God and Goddess in fruitful union to add new life to the crops and hasten their growth.
Litha or the summer solstice on June 21st is the longest day of the year
and marks the high point reached by the Sun on its yearly journey. It is the height of Summer and the fields are green with the new crops. It is easy to stand in a woods or a field and feel the Earth around you while the Sun shines on your face.
August 2nd is the festival of Lammas which is the first harvest. The early crops are being brought in and stored for winter . The corn stands high in the fields and the days are warm and luxurious. Lammas is the time of sharing the first harvest and breads that are made from the early grains. It is a festival where sharing between all present of the harvest and its bounty forms a closeness or bond. It is a time of thankfulness to the God and Goddess for their help in the creation of a full harvest for the winter that lies ahead.
The Fall Equinox celebration of Mabon on September 21st is the exact opposite of March 21st. Both of these are times of equal night and equal day. Fall Equinox is a reminder that the Sun will now start to grow shorter each day from this point on until again at YULE the longest time of darkness will come again. This is again a time of equality between the God and Goddess, the God represented by the Sun, the Goddess by the Moon. Each represents half of one whole that is fulfilled by their joining as one. Fruitfulness of the land being the end result of their mutuality, the bounty of the harvest will be brought in and stored against winter, and the dark times. From here the next festival is again SAMHAIN and the start of a NEW YEAR.
In Wicca and other pagan traditions, there exists a practice known as circle casting . Circle casting is generally done with salt, crystals, candles or other purifying materials, and requires special rituals to be considered effective.
This circle is also believed to be an area which straddles two dimensions or realities called the "veil between worlds". It becomes a sacred space between the mundane world or physical plane and the spiritual world or astral plane.
The most common set-up for a Wiccan circle would be with four (4) candles, one at each cardinal direction: North: green for the element of Earth , East: yellow for the element of Air , South: red for the element of Fire and West: blue for the element of Water . Optionally, one could put a purple candle in the center to represent the spirit elemental or even use only white candles for each direction.
By casting a circle , it consecrates an area within this shape for either temporary or permanent protection. This circle is a barrier between the worlds to carry out magical rituals or spells without interference. Most Wiccans cast the circle deosil (clock-wise) three times: once to cleanse the circle with salt, a second time to cleanse it with water, and a third time to cleanse the circle with incense. A common incense to use is frankincense or myrrh. Three being a symbolic and powerful number in the Wiccan religion represents the Triple Deities , The Karmic Law and the cycle of life . One revolution widdershins or counter clockwise releases the circle .
However, the main reason for casting a circle is to contain the energy raised within it. As more and more energy is raised from chanting and dancing the energy becomes more concentrated. After the circle has been cast it is believed that if forms a "cone of power"; which starts on the ground as the circle shape and extends upwards to make a point, thus creating a cone shape (this is also where the shape for a "witches' hat" comes from). When magic is done being performed, the energy is then released through this point to enter the universe and serve its purpose.
The effectiveness of any barriers being created can strongly depend on how much meditation the practitioner has done, the concentration they put into the rituals, and even what direction they are facing. Most Wiccans face East and put their altars in the East to petition the sunrise, but others face North for the North Star or to start with the Earth when casting a circle.
In part one of this show I told you about the burning times in Europe from the 13th century to 1675 . One of North Americas biggest Witch Hunts happened in Salem Massachusetts where today the city embraces it’s Wiccan population and Heritage .
In January of 1692, the daughter and niece of Reverend Samuel Parris of Salem Village became ill. The village doctor, William Griggs, was called in. His diagnosis of bewitchment put into motion the forces that would ultimately result in the death by hanging of nineteen men and women. In addition, one man Giles Corry was crushed to death; seven others died in prison, and the lives of many were irrevocably changed.
To understand the events of the Salem witch trials, it is necessary to examine the times in which accusations of witchcraft occurred. There were the ordinary stresses of 17th-century life in Massachusetts Bay Colony. A strong belief in the devil, factions among Salem Village fanatics and rivalry with nearby Salem Town, a recent small pox epidemic and the threat of attack by warring tribes created a fertile ground for fear and suspicion. Soon prisons were filled with more than 150 men and women from towns surrounding Salem. Their names had been "cried out" by tormented young girls as the cause of their pain was the hexes of witches . All would await trial for a crime punishable by death in 17th-century New England, the practice of witchcraft.
In June of 1692, the special Court of Oyer (to hear) and Terminer (to decide) sat in Salem to hear the cases of witchcraft. Presided over by Chief Justice William Stoughton, the court was made up of magistrates and jurors. The first to be tried was Bridget Bishop of Salem who was found guilty and was hanged on June 10. Thirteen women and five men from all stations of life followed her to the gallows on three successive hanging days before the court was disbanded by Governor William Phipps in October of that year.
The Superior Court of Judicature, formed to replace the "witchcraft" court, did not allow spectral evidence. This belief in the power of the accused to use their invisible shapes or spectres to torture their victims had sealed the fates of those tried by the Court of Oyer and Terminer. The new court released those awaiting trial and pardoned those awaiting execution. In effect, the Salem witch trials were over. As years passed, apologies were offered, and restitution was made to the victims' families. Historians and sociologists have examined this most complex episode in our history so that we may understand the issues of that time and apply our understanding to our own society.
Since this research has been started there has been compelling evidence that the bread the villagers were eating was contaminated with a bacteria strand called ergot . This brought on hallucinations , feelings of being pinched or pricked , hearing voices and an uncontrollable fever . This was the real cause of the hysteria that lead to the execution of the people in Salem . None of them were a witch or practicing Wiccan .
Since the mid 1960 the Wiccan religion has grown in both numbers and understanding . People have had a need to return to the old ways for answers . With all the daily distractions , technology , and stress wiccans prefer to live as close to nature as possible . They usually don’t watch or read news , watch tv , have a phone , and live with basic needs . We know that we can’t take it with us , so why do we need it . We don’t measure each other’s value or worth by numbers of toys or trinkets but by knowledge and Life lessons .
Wiccans are pretty laid back people and usually takes a lot to get them upset . They are a charismatic group and when gathered in numbers can really change the life of a room . We can blend in but can also take the reins if needed . It is the job of the Wise Ones to protect both the secrets of the ancient’s and the Earth energies . It can sometimes be a lonely life due to society still being leary of the word witch . Many people when thy find out what you are usually don’t treat you the same . You are weird or out there because of your ways of thinking and views of life . But Wiccans don’t strive for acceptance from the outside world , only from ourselves .
So there’s a very brief outline of what the Wiccan religion is rooted in . What you have to understand is that we could do many shows about the customs and practices of Wicca but I’ll point you to a few books that I feel give a no bones approach to understanding the Craft . To understand about strictly initiations , how to run a coven and circle casting Book of Shadows by Lady Sheba is very good . If you want a no holds barred approach to understanding everything about Wicca the book The Craft A Witch’s Book of Shadows by Dorothy Morrison is a must have . It teaches you all you need to know about circle and spell casting , crafting your own tools , rituals , history and Wiccan Ethics . If you want a Wiccan calender The Witch’s Almanac 2009 by Llewellyn Books is a daily codex of sun and moon phases ,holidays , articles , web addresses , books and everything witchcraft . Also feel free to E mail me all your questions about Wicca .
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WICCA AND WITCHCRAFT 101 : CODES , AND ETHICS OF AN ANCIENT RELIGION. An Article By John Boyd .