| Wicca is often mistaken for Witchcraft. The truth of | | | | dates back to prehistoric man, whereas tokens of |
| the matter is, Wicca is a religious faith all of its own. | | | | appreciation were offered during semi-rituals by the |
| What might surprise people even more is that Wicca | | | | tribes in hope of being granted particular blessings from |
| is a very loving religious practice, one that demands its | | | | the Gods of Old. The most common documented |
| followers to adhere to strict ethics and high morals. | | | | proof of the Gods that were believed in during this era |
| Summed up, these ethics convey the Wiccan Law of | | | | were those of Fertility Goddesses and Gods of the |
| "Harm None", which enforces those of Wiccan faith to | | | | Hunt, both of which were honored frequently in |
| be consistently mindful of their daily actions and | | | | exchange for food and safety. |
| resulting effects, and their interactions with mankind, | | | | Magick Today: Today, much of the makings of magick |
| animals, and the environment in which we live. | | | | in Wicca is based on the same platform: Celebrations, |
| Wicca incorporates a combination of religious beliefs | | | | dances, and feasts are performed to pay honor to |
| and practices in its studies. These include; Eastern | | | | particular Divine Spirits in exchange for blessings which |
| Philosophy, Mystical Quabalah, and old European | | | | are bestowed. Crafts are made and tokens are |
| traditions. From Eastern Philosophy, Wicca derives its | | | | offered in the same fashion. These magicks range |
| belief system of Cause and Effect, Karma and | | | | from elaborate gatherings of wiccan multitudes, to the |
| Reincarnation. The Quabalah lends its principles of | | | | less casual practices of solitary wiccans, whereas an |
| Spiritual Evolution through 'path-working', as well as | | | | individual (or group of a few) will perform smaller rituals |
| Esoteric Knowledges. And, from European tradition | | | | to gain more personal-type blessings. |
| Wicca receives its passions and understandings of | | | | Other Tools of Craft: It is believed by wiccans that |
| nature and many of its Deities. | | | | most all natural materials, from stones to plants, |
| What Do Wiccans Worship? The foundation of Wicca | | | | withhold specific 'energies' which may be utilized in |
| is based on the teachings and belief that there are | | | | magick as additional aids for attaining specific results. |
| many forms of 'Divine Spirit' which reside with us here | | | | The Most popular of natural materials is perhaps the |
| on Earth, as well as in 'Heavenly' Realms, all of which | | | | usage of herbs. Herbs are incorporated into magick by |
| are benevolent, and accessible by mankind to assist us | | | | way of making crafts by them for offerings and |
| with our needs - both physical and spiritually. Many of | | | | tokens of appreciation and honor. Herbs are a also |
| these Divine Beings are found in Nature - in the | | | | incorporated into magickal workings for their large |
| elements, the sky, and the Earth 'Herself'. | | | | variety of pleasing fragrances, and for this reason are |
| How Do Wiccans Worship? Wiccans base their | | | | commonly used in incenses -- which are burned during |
| primary observances on what is referred to as 'The | | | | all religious ceremonies in effort to attract and |
| Wheel of the Year'. This 'Wheel' contains eight times in | | | | compliment the Divine Spirits. |
| each year where the changes of the seasons are | | | | Summary: Wicca, during the past many years, has |
| celebrated by Ritual to pay tribute for the gifts and | | | | done much in the way of promoting religious tolerance |
| opportunities inherent in each season. Examples include | | | | in the publics eye. It is not within the religious practice of |
| the asking for protection and needs to be meet during | | | | Wicca to solicit new members or reform those of |
| winter months, the 'calling forth' of spring (seed and | | | | other religious creeds. But rather, to teach, by example, |
| planting time), and giving thanks for crop abundances in | | | | the many blessings bestowed upon those who abide |
| the autumn. | | | | by the Law of Love. |
| What Are "Wiccan Tools" and Why Are They Used? | | | | Each of the Great Religions of the World is based |
| During festivals, Wiccans use ritual tools to assist them | | | | upon the teachings of making personal improvements |
| with their performances. These include athames, | | | | and rising above our environments, helping those in |
| wands, chalices, bowls, candles, and pentacles. Most all | | | | need, and becoming more spiritually evolved. It seems |
| of these items correlate with an element of nature, | | | | impossible, therefore, that with so many similarities |
| and each has a specific purpose to aid in rituals - | | | | among various religions - that any particlar creed could |
| which are often performed to portray the roles which | | | | be right or wrong. |
| Divine Spirits play in interacting and impacting our daily | | | | With all of the struggles that separate mankind in |
| lives. Wiccans also use divination tools, such as crystal | | | | today's world, I maintain that Religion should not be one |
| balls, pendulums, and Tarot cards for seeking spiritual | | | | of them. But in fact, should be a common ground that |
| advice and gaining insight into the future. | | | | unites us all - despite a cultures 'name' for its God (or |
| Wicca and Magick: Much of the misconceptions about | | | | Goddesses) and the origins or mythic tales attached. I |
| Wicca stem from its practice of performing 'magick'. | | | | believe that "God" -- in any aspect, is most likely |
| This magick is often (wrongfully) attached to some | | | | BI-LINGUAL (speaking many languages) and is present |
| type of devil-worship by those who do not take the | | | | to all cultures. |
| time to research the facts. In truth, most Wiccans do | | | | I further suggest that any Almighty Being has better |
| not even believe in a devil. And, if they did, the Code of | | | | things to do than play monopoly among religious |
| Ethics and Principles of Wicca would enforce its | | | | creeds. Education is the key to understanding, and |
| followers to stand clear of "him". Again, Wicca | | | | there are many well-written informative and 'accurate' |
| promotes well-being unto all. | | | | books on Wicca available. |
| The Origins of Magick: The art of performing magick | | | | |