Frequently asked questions with answers

Q: What form does the practice of Witchcraft take?

A: The form and context vary from group to group and between each ritual and may run the gamut from elaborate ceremony to spontaneous ritual to simple meditation. Generally the practice is to consecrate a sacred space, the "circle" and then work magic and worship the Goddess and Gods within it according to the forms agreed upon within that particular group of Withces.

Q:Do all Witches practice their religion the same way?

A: yes and no. Wicca is a highly individual religion. Moreover, the number of different sects within the Craft may give the impression that no two groups practice the same way. Though practices may vary, most traditions have many similarities, such as the working of magic and a respect for nature. Most Witches find enough common ground for mutual supporrt and productive networking throughout the Craft community.

Q: Is Witchcraft a "cult"?

A: No. A cult is generally taken as a gathering pf people who owe blind allegience to one charismatic leader who ostensibly represents "truth". They indulge in "extravagent homage or adoration" (Webster's Dictionary) usually of their leader. Thus trading the ability to think for oneself for "salvation" and a sense of belonging. This is the antithisis of the Witchcraft experience. Most Witches come to the Craft through reading and communing with nature and later finding like-minded groups. Witches tend to be highly individualistic.

Q: Do Witches have a bible?

A: No. A bible is supposidly the word of a deity revealed through a prophet or more generally, "a book containing the sacred writings of any religion" (Webster's Dictionary). Witchcraft is a Pagan fold-religion of personal experience. A Witch may keep a "Book of Shadows" which is more like an individuals workbook or journal- meaningfull to the person who keeps it- contaning rituals, discoveries, spells, poetry. herb lore, ect. Covens may keep a similar group book. There is no one document taken by all Wiccans as authoritative, as in Judaism, Christianity or Islam.

Q: Do witches cast spells?

A: Some do and some don't, Since a commonly held belief is that what is sent out is returned to the sender threefold, Witches tend to be very carefull with spells. A spell is a formula, or a series od steps, to direct the will to a desired end. Energy is drawn from the Earth, concentrated and sent out into the world. it is believed that with proper training and intent, human minds and hearts are fully capable of performing all the magic and miricles they are ever likely to need, through the use of natural psychic power.

Q: Do Witches fly on brooms?

A: No. Brooms were and are sometimes ridden astride in ceremonies. In once such ceremony people run through the fields astride to coax the grain to grow, or participants leap over a broom telling the grain to grow to the height of the highest leaping. Uninformed observations od such ceremonies could lead to talkes of flying on brooms.

Q: Do Witches worship the devil?

A: No The concept of "the devil", a personification of a supreme spirit of evil and unrighteousness, is a creation of Middle Eastern thought which is fundimental to the religions of that region including Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Worship of "Satan" as this being is a practice of profaning Christian symbolism and is thus a Christian heresy rather than a Pagan religion. The fods of Wicca are in no way connected with Satanic practices. Most Witches do not even believe Satan exists and certainly do not worship him. Historically, the gods of an older religion are branded as the devils of a newer one in order to promote conversion.

Q: Are Witches only women?

A: No, but in this country women do predominate in the craft overall (in england men predominate). Some traditions have only women practitioners, just as others only have men. Most tradititons admit both. A male witch is simply called a Witch, never a warlocl.

Q: With the bad mental image people get at the mention of Witch and Witchcraft, why do you still use those names?

A: Virtually every religion can look back into the dark corners of history and find a period when it was held in dispute. Some religions were accused of crimes through ignorence and malice, e.g. Medieval Christians were sure that Jews ate christian babies. Other religions face prejudice because their practices are different from those of their accusers, e.g. the Mormons for their polygymy. Others defame each other for being on the opposite side of some power struggle, consider many incidents from the crusades through the Inquisition through current affairs in nations such as ireland or Iran. Just because a group was pr is persecuted and maligned is not a reason for it to change its same. The practices of prejudice and scapegoating seem to be universal human pastimes and we have had our share od bearing the brunt of such

Q: How can someone find out more about Witchcraft?

A: Wicca is not a missionary religion and does not proselytize. One must seek rather than be sought after. There are excelent books available and many Witches teach classes or facilitate discussion groups. In this way, people may connect with a like-minded coven or form a study group of their own. There are also many good periodicals, networks and national and regional festivals through which a seeker can make contact with the larger Craft community.