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Just in case anybody's still confused, here is a
sampling of some of the questions Witches get asked from time to time!
- What's the difference between being Wiccan, being a Witch, and being a Pagan?
- Paganism is a broad term, used to refer to any earth-based religion. Wicca is a specific religion, with a certain set of beliefs, although those can be "customized" to the individual. Wiccans generally believe in reincarnation, they follow the Rede, celebrate eight Sabbats, and believe in the Law of Three. Although many people tend to think of Wiccans as New-Age fluff-bunny types, the Wiccan religion has a very strong ethical sense and they acknowledge the darker side of life as well as the light. Witchcraft is also a religion; in my experience, Witches tend to be more "practical" than Wiccans. Witch is also used to refer to anyone who practices magic. All Wiccans are Pagan. Not all Pagans are Wiccan or Witches.
- So you guys are really all Satanists, right?
- Satan is a Christian deity, and quite frankly, the Christians are welcome to him!
- Don't you sacrifice animals and stuff?
- The Wiccan Rede states "Harm none." That includes newts, bats, and black cats! Most pagans feel a deep affinity for the Earth and all her creatures. We regard all living beings as sharing the same spark of divinity, and so animals have the same rights that we do. Many pagans are vegetarians, and those who aren't beleive in treating the animals we eat with respect for the sacrifice they are making.
- But you say Black Masses and have sex on the altar, right?
- Wrong. Black Masses are part of the demonic cults. We may occasionally celebrate the Great Rite in our rituals, but it is only done between two consenting adults and is regarded as the highest sacrament.
- Can you give me a spell to make so-and-so love me?
- Making someone in particular love you would be denying him his free will and I would not do it. I could certainly teach you how to write your own spells, however, to help you with your self-confidence and poise, which would be more helpful in the long run.
- If you can do spells, how come you're still so fat/poor/ugly/single?
- Contrary to what fairy tales tell you, spells do not provide your every wish all wrapped up in a puff of smoke. I can do a spell for weight loss, but unless I also eat right and exercise it's not going to work. A spell is simply a way of concentrating your energy on a certain goal.
- Don't you know that Jesus Christ is the one true way and unless you accept him as your saviour you will be damned to hell forever?
- It's your hell, you go there. There are as many true paths as there are people, and choosing the "wrong" one will not condemn me to spend an eternity anywhere.
- Is Wicca/paganism/witchcraft a cult?
- The majority of pagans are stubbornly independent, free-thinking and individualistic. I can't imagine people less likely to get involved in a cult!
- How do I join?
- Paganism is very much about you and your relationship with the Divine. There is no "church" to join. You may join a coven; the membership requirements are up to that coven. If the pagan belief systems speak to you, then I would encourage you to research some of the different paths and find out which, if any, is for you. Read everything you can get your hands on, and think about how the different beliefs expressed by the authors appeal to you. Do you agree or disagree with what they're saying? Why? Increase your self-knowledge and you will increase your knowledge of the Divine. Once you are comfortable with your own spirtual leanings, you can start putting them into practice. Meditate. Do a few simple rituals, say a daily prayer, or learn candle magic. Start incorporating some of the pagan beliefs into your daily life. But realize that you will never stop learning, and you will never stop refining your own belief system!
 
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