What is Wicca
Witchcraft is a spiritual
system that fosters the free thought and will of the individual, encourages
learning and an understanding of the earth and nature thereby affirming the
divinity in all living things. Most importantly however, it teaches
responsibility. We accept responsibility for our actions and deeds as clearly
a result of the choices we make. We do not blame an exterior entity or being
for our shortcomings, weaknesses or mistakes. If we mess up or do something
that brings harm to another, we have no one but ourselves to blame and we must
face the consequences resulting from those actions. No ifs, ands or buts and
no whining...
We acknowledge the cycles of nature, the lunar phases and the seasons to
celebrate our spirituality and to worship the divine. It is a belief system
that allows the Witch to work with, not in supplication to deities with the
intent of living in harmony and achieving balance with all things.
The spells that we do involve healing, love, harmony, wisdom and
creativity. The potions that we stir might be a headache remedy, a cold tonic,
or an herbal flea bath for our pets. We strive to gain knowledge of and use
the natural remedies placed on this earth by the divine for our benefit instead
of using synthetic drugs unless absolutely necessary.
Wiccan believe that the spirit of the One, Goddess and God exist in all
things. In the trees, rain, flowers, the sea, in each other and all of natures
creatures. This means that we must treat "all things" of the Earth as aspects
of the divine. We attempt to honor and respect life in all its many
manifestations both seen and unseen.
Wiccan learn from and revere the gift of nature from divine creation by
celebrating the cycles of the sun, moon and seasons. We search within
ourselves for the cycles that correspond to those of the natural world and try
to live in harmony with the movement of this universal energy. Our teachers
are the trees, rivers, lakes, meadows, mountains and animals as well as others
who have walked this path before us. This belief creates a reverence and
respect for the environment, and all life upon the Earth.
We also revere the spirits of the elements of Earth, Air, Fire and Water which
combine to manifest all creation. From these four elements we obtain insight
to the rhythms of nature and understand they are also the rhythms of our own
lives.
Because Witches have been persecuted for so many centuries, we believe in
religious freedom first! We do not look at our path as the only way to achieve
spirituality, but as one path among many to the same end. We are not a
missionary religion out to convert new members to think the same as we do. We
are willing to share our experience and knowledge with those who seek our wisdom
and perspective however. We believe that anyone who is meant for this path
will find it through their own search as the Goddess speaks to each of us in her
time and way. Wiccan practice tolerance and acceptance toward all other
religions as long as those faiths do not persecute others or violate the tenant
of "Harm None."
Witches have a very strict
belief in the Law of Three which states that whatever we send out into our world
shall return to us three fold either good or bane. With this in mind, a "True
Witch" would hesitate in doing magick to harm or manipulate another because that
boomerang we throw will eventually come back to us much larger and harder then
when we threw it.
This is not to say that Witches are perfect, we are human too just like everyone
else and make mistakes and errors in judgment. Just as there are parents who
love and nurture their children, there are parents who abuse their
children. As there are many who devote their lives to giving and helping
mankind, likewise there are those who devote their lives to taking advantage of
and using people for their own gain. Unfortunately the same flaws in human
nature applies to witches too.
Most of us continually strive to consider all potential outcomes of our thoughts
and actions pausing to seriously consider the consequences before undertaking a
ritual, spell or rite that could go astray. It is when we follow the path with
the love of the Goddess in our hearts and adhere to the basic tenant of the Reed
that our works are beneficial and we achieve harmony and balance with all
things.
(c) Herne, The Celtic
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