Basic Philosophy of Witchcraft

Wicca, or Witchcraft, is an earth religion -- a re-linking (re-ligio) with the life-force of nature, both on this planet and in the stars and space beyond. In city apartments, in suburban backyards, in country glades, groups of women and men meet on the new and full moons and at festival times to raise energy and put themselves in tune with these natural forces. They honor the old Goddesses and Gods, including the Triple Goddess of the waxing, full, and waning moon, and the Horned God of the sun and animal life, as visualizations of immanent nature.

Our religion is not a series of precepts or beliefs, rather we believe that we each have within ourselves the capacity to reach out and experience the mystery -- that feeling of ineffable oneness with all Life. Those who wish to experience this transcendence must work, and create, and participate in their individual religious lives. For this reason, our congregations, called covens, are small groups which give room for each individual to contribute to the efforts of the group by self-knowledge and creative experimentation within the agreed-upon group structure or tradition.

There are many traditions or sects within the Craft. Different groups take their inspiration from the pre-Christian religions of certain ethnic groups (e.g. Celtic, Greek, Norse, Finno-Ugric); in the liturgical works of some modern Witch poet or scholar (e.g. Gerald Gardner, Z Budapest, Alex Sanders, Starhawk); or by seeking within themselves for inspiration and direction. Many feminists have turned to Wicca and the role of priestess for healing and strength after the patriarchal oppression and lack of voice for women in the major world religions.

There are many paths to spiritual growth. Wicca is a participatory revelation, a celebratory action leading to greater understanding of oneself and the universe. We believe there is much to learn by studying our past, through myth, through ritual drama, through poetry and music, through love and through living in harmony with the Earth.


What is Wicca?

Wicca is a neo-pagan religion. With no central dogma, or "bible" to follow, individuals are free to develop their own spiritual beliefs. Witches may practice as solitaires or with other witches of compatible spirituality. Deities are drawn from numerous sources, including various mythologies from every continent. Popular pantheons are Norse, Celtic, Greek, Roman, and Egyptian. There are many paths of witchcraft, as there are many divisions of Christianity. Just as the divisions of Christianity each contain various sects, Wicca is but one division of Witchcraft, and allows for almost unlimited "sects".

A common belief of all Neo-pagans is that deity is not "unattainable" (up in some place unreachable by the living). For witches, Deity is manifest in all things, the earth Herself being recognized as a Goddess, the Mother of all earthly beings. Even the rocks and hills, lakes and seas, weather and winds, and the deepest caves, are manifestations of Deity.

In common with other earth-centered religions, witches also do not believe in a "Hell" or an evil-incarnate being (i.e. "Satan"). However, many do recognize the Greek god Pluto, also known as Hades, and his realm of the Underworld which includes the fiery abyss of Tartarus. Wiccans strongly believe in tolerance of other faiths, and do not hold the belief that Wicca is the "one true way". They are non-evangelistic, and opposed to proselytizing, testifying, confessing and converting.

Practicing witches are very far from the common perception of their Craft. They aren't ugly hags with warts on their noses. They don't wear pointy hats or fly through the air on brooms. Conjuring up gruesome brews with eye of newt and wing of bat isn't part of their practice. Wiccans use the power of the god/goddess within, the gifts of the Earth, and the manifestations of nature to promote change. Many witches also use essential oils, herbs, and gemstones for healing, magickal workings, and meditation.

Pagans commonly celebrate the cycles of Sun, Moon, and all Nature as their holidays. Witches' Moon-rituals (Esbats) are celebrated on the Full (and sometimes the New) Moon of each month. The Festivals are the the Greater Sabbats; and the solar festivals, or Lesser Sabbats. These alternate on the Wheel of the Year, beginning with the Celtic/Druidic New Year, which occurs at Samhain. The Lesser Sabbats occur at the solstices and equinoxes, each Greater Sabbat occurs approximately 40 days after each lesser one.



SOLITARY OR COVEN?

Firstly, I won't tell you one is better than another. Whether or not you work in a group is entirely up to you.Solitary and coven work each have their own benefits and setbacks. Ultimately, your personality will determine your choice, depending on whether or not you enjoy working with a group. It is important that you keep an open mind in any situation. This is just a guide.

SOLITARYCOVEN
You can pace yourself, moving as slowly or as quickly as you like when you work alone.
You are paced by whomever is training you, and it is unlikely you will find yourself thick in the soup, because the High Priestess or High Priest can pull you out when and if you get desperate.
There is no dogma. You choose your own deities and rituals as you please.You may get direction and ideas on deities from the coven members and leaders.
If something scary (not necessarily bad) happens, you don't have the High Priestess or High Priest to smile reassuringly at you.There are some intense revelations you have only when you are alone, and visualizations that come only from solitary practice.
There are no politics to deal with.

There is (almost) no recourse in having to deal with a nasty practitioner who won't get off your case.
There are no degree paths to work toward.There are degree paths to work toward.
Sometimes it gets lonely practicing solitaire.

Sometimes you feel as if you can't get enough personal space. (No Sex Magick jokes, please!)
You can enjoy center stage with the energies/entities you work with.You must know your place in the pond, and just how little (or big) a fish you are.



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