Ask Me a Question: Paganism / Wicca
Hear ye the words of the Star Goddess; she in the dust of whose feet are the hosts of heaven, and whose body encircles the universe: "I who am the beauty of the green earth, and the white moon among the stars, and the mystery of the waters, call unto thy soul: Arise, and come unto me. For I am the soul of nature, who gives life to the universe. From Me all things proceed, and unto Me all things must return; and before My face, beloved of gods and of men, let thine innermost divine self be enfolded in the rapture of the infinite. Let My worship be within the heart that rejoices; for behold, all acts of love and pleasure are My rituals. And therefore let there be beauty and strength, power and compassion, honor and humility, mirth and reverence within you. And thou who thinkest to seek Me, know that thy seeking and yearning shall avail thee not unless thou knowest the Mystery: that if that which thou seekest thou findest not within thee, thou wilt never find it without. For behold, I have been with thee from the beginning; and I am that which is attained at the end of desire." -- from Doreen Valiente's Charge of the Goddess |
This list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) is designed as an introduction to Wicca and to the Wiccan & Pagan Study Group List as well as a reference for those investigating the religion of Wicca for the first time.
This FAQ was adapted from the Alt.Religion.Wicca FAQ.
This FAQ was adapted by SunsetSeashell on Wednesday May 13, 1998. This FAQ was last modified: 15 August 1998.
If you have any questions or comments about the content of this FAQ,
please e-mail the maintainer, SunsetSeashell.
The FAQ is posted to the list on the full moon.
Wiccan and Pagan Study Group
Established in August of 1997, WPSG (USA) is a study group for the discussion of Paganism, Earth or Nature-based religions, Wicca, also known by some as Wicce, Goddess Worship, the Old Religion, Witchcraft (with a capital "W"), "the
Craft." and other such ways of life. WPSG (USA) welcomes all seekers, young or old. The group is made up of many members who reside all-over the world.
Our Mission Statement.
WPSG (USA) has a sister group for Southern Hemisphere Pagans, Wiccans and Witches. Visit Wiccan and Pagan Study Group (Australia).
1.2) What is Wicca and how is it related to Paganism?
"Wicca" is the name of a contemporary Neo-Pagan religion, largely promulgated and popularized by the efforts of a retired British civil servant named Gerald Gardner. In the last few decades, Wicca has spread in part due to its popularity among feminists and others seeking a more woman-positive, earth-based religion. Like most Neo-Pagan spiritualities, Wicca worships the sacred as immanent in nature, drawing much of its inspiration from the non-Christian and pre-Christian religions of Europe. "Neo-Pagan" simply means "new pagan" (derived from the Latin paganus , "country-dweller") and hearkens back to times before the spread of today's major monotheistic (one god) religions. A good general rule is that most Wiccans are Neo-Pagans but not all Pagans are Wiccans. Please consult soc.religion.paganism or the soc.religion.paganism FAQ for more general information on Neo-Paganism.
2.1) What are some common, basic beliefs in Wicca?
In addition to its positive view of nature, many find Wicca more welcoming
of women than other religions, with an emphasis on personal experience
and a tolerance of other paths. As a whole, Wiccans value balance with
a respect for diverse complexity, seeing sexuality an embodiment as essentially
positive, spiritual gifts. There is a sense of personal connection to the
divine life source, which is open to contact through "psychic power",
mysticism or "natural magic."
You may want to read The Wiccan Principles of Belief and the responces to the following questions to gain a general understanding of this, sometimes complex, belief system.
2.2) What god(desse)s do Wiccans worship?
Although some Wiccans focus on particular gods from particular world mythologies, Wiccans may worship many god(desse)s by many different names. Most worship some form of the Great Goddess and Her consort, The Horned God. Such duo-theistic forces are often conceived as embodying complementary polarities, not in opposition. In some traditions worship of the Goddess is emphasized, although in others the Goddess and God are seen as complementary co-equals. The Goddess and God may be seen as associated with certain things (such as the Goddess with the earth or moon, God with sun and wildlife, etc), but there are no hard and fast rules. Some traditions worship the Goddess alone while others see Divinity as essentially beyond human understanding, with "Goddess" and "God" simply a convenient shorthand.
2.3) What tools and rituals do you use?
Some ritual items are common to almost every Wiccan tradition, such as the athame (ritual knife) and chalice (ritual cup). Others may be used by some traditions but not others: bells, brooms, candles, cauldrons, cords, drums, incense, jewelry, special plates, pentacles, scourges, statues, swords, staves and wands. The meaning of these items, their use and manufacture will differ among traditions and individuals. Usually a Wiccan ritual will involve some sort of creation of sacred space (casting a circle), invocation of divine power, sharing of dance/song/food or wine and a thankful farewell and ceremonial closing. Rituals may be held at Wiccan "sabbats" or "esbats" (see next question) or to mark life transitions such as births, coming-of-age, marriages/handfastings, housewarmings, healings, deaths or other rites of passage.
2.4) Is there a set liturgy or liturgical calendar?
Most Wiccans mark eight holiday "sabbats" in the "wheel of the year," falling on the solstices, equinoxes and the four "cross-quarter days" on or about the first of February, May, August and November. The names of the sabbats may differ between traditions, and many Wiccans also mark "esbats," rituals for worship in accordance with a given moon phase (such as the night of the full moon). Although there is no one source for all Wiccan liturgy, many liturgical items such as the methods for casting the circle, the "Charge of the Goddess," certain myths and formulaic expressions are common to many traditions. Some common formulaic expressions include "hail and welcome/farewell," "blessed be" (sometimes abbreviated on the net as B*B) and the closing "Merry meet and merry part, and merry meet again." There is no one bible or book of common prayer for all Wiccans, however, and great value is placed on creativity, poetry and the artful integration of different myths and ritual elements.
2.5) What is basic Wiccan thealogy?
Some myths and associations are common to many Wiccan traditions, such as the Goddess' giving birth to the Horned God, the theme of their courtship and His death, the descent of the Goddess into the realm of death and others. Another thealogical point held in common by many Wiccans is the immanence of deity/divinity within the natural world, self and cycle of the seasons. This places value on the earth and this world, as distinguished from views of transcendent divinity and an unenchanted creation. Wiccans as a whole are very much "into" cycles: of life, of the moon and seasons. Cyclical change as an erotic dance of life, death and rebirth is a popular theme in Wiccan imagery, ritual and liturgy. (Thea is Greek for "goddess," by the way, so "thealogy" is not a typo here, but a way of emphasizing the Goddess.)
Although it may be foolhardy to compare things as complex as religions, people do. Many Wiccans distinguish themselves from Satanists, for example, in preferring complementary views of divinity to adversarial ones. Others may note their own comfort and embrace of ambiguity and polytheism (many gods). Unlike the Jewish, Christian or Islamic traditions, there is little emphasis on interpretation of "scripture" or a revealed text. Although many Wiccans may believe in some sort of reincarnation, they may distinguish themselves from Buddhists in seeing life as a journey or adventure without any desire to "leave the wheel" of return. Like Hindus, Wiccans may pride themselves on their tolerance for other paths, like Buddhists they may value personal insight and like Taoists they may seek to align themselves more perfectly with nature. Some Wiccans may separate themselves from the "New Age" in their value (and acceptance) for both "light" and "dark" aspects of existence (all life), a do-it-yourself attitude and a distrust of money or hierarchies of "enlightenment" which seem to place spirituality up for sale.
2.6) What are Wiccan ethics, the "Wiccan Rede" and "three-fold law?"
Wiccan ethics are seldom codified in a legalistic way, but may be informed
by some common expressions such as the "Wiccan Rede" and the
"three-fold law." According to most versions of the three-fold
law, whatever one does comes back to one thrice-multiplied or times three, in amplified
repercussion. One short, rhymed version of the Wiccan
Rede states "Eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill: An it harm none,
do what you will." Often "none" is interpreted to include
the doer themself in analogy to the "golden rule" of other faiths.
There are no universal proscriptions regarding food, sex, burial or military
service and Wiccans, as a rule, discourage proselytization (attempts to
convert others to a different religion).
Alot of Wiccans also like to abide by The Wiccan Principles of Belief.
3.1) Can I be a Christian/ Jew/ Muslim/ Buddhist/ Taoist/ Astrologer/ Druid/ Shaman/ omnivore/ whatever and a Wiccan?
Since much of Wicca is more worldview and ceremonial practice than anything else, there is no Wiccan proscription of such things. Most traditions have no requirement to denounce any other faith and, indeed, Wiccans often look askance at "one true wayisms" which claim to have a monopoly on truth, divine revelation or enlightenment. "Christian Wiccans" probably face the largest skepticism, however, given the history and ongoing reality of allegedly "Christian" persecution.
Prejudice (fear of job-loss, child-custody challenges, ridicule, vandalism and even violence) may still keep many Wiccans "in the broom closet," with concealment and dual observances a traditional Wiccan defense against persecution. This may make contact with Wiccans difficult in some areas. Since Wiccan worship is fairly active by its nature, non-participating observers are rarely invited to Wiccan rituals.
3.2) What are "dedication" and "initiation" in Wicca?
These things mean different things in different traditions. Usually "dedication" ceremonially marks the beginning of Wiccan study, while "intitiation" may mark full membership in a coven/tradition (such as after "a year and a day") or may indicate elevation in skill or to special clergy status. Some traditions look on all initiates as co-equal clergy, while others have grades or "degrees" of initiation, which may be marked by distinct sacramental ceremonies, duties or expectations within the tradition.
Some people claim that "only a Witch can make a Witch," whereas others say that only the Goddess and God or demonstrated skill can make a witch. Doreen Valiente was initiated by Gardner himself, but slyly asks "who initiated the first witch?" Valiente and others assert that those who choose to "bootstrap" a coven into existence (by an initial initiation) or to use self-initiation may do so, citing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Self-dedications are also quite common among new practitioners and solitary Wiccans ("solitaries").
3.3) Do all Wiccans practice magic/k?
That depends on what one means by magic. The occultist Aleister Crowley
helped re-popularize archaic spellings such as "magick", terming
this "the Science and Art of causing Change to occur in conformity
with Will." Others may think of magic as folk parapsychology or see
the changes wrought as primarily changes in consciousness. Ceremonialists
may distinguish between the "high magick" of ritual observance
and the "low magic" of practical spells (such as for protection
and health). Almost all Wiccans, however, have some sort of ceremony or
psychological practice to better attune themselves with divinity, encouraging
insight and a sense of efficacy. Others may cast love spells or other curses
but no, we don't do it for strangers on the net and no, we don't confuse
this with stage magic.
One of the many definitions of Magic/Magick/Majik is:
The use of forces within yourself and Nature (around you) to bring about Willed Change.
3.4) Is Wicca the same thing as witchcraft?
The short answer is no. Many cultures have a negative word like "witchcraft,"
often viewing it as a malevolent, supernatural tool used by the weak, old
or malicious. Some people use the term "witchcraft" to cover
more general skills, such as counseling, the occult and herbcraft. Some
Wiccans call themselves "Witches," capitalizing it as a gesture
of solidarity with the victims of the Burning Times, but this is a personal
decision. Although many Wiccans today may cast spells and practice magic/k,
these are not considered an integral part of Wicca by all Wiccans. Wicca
is not traditional folk magic and all magic is not necessarily Wiccan,
anymore than all people who pray belong to any particular religion.
There is a saying in the Neo-Pagan community:
Most Wiccans are witches but not all Witches are wiccan.
3.5) What were "the Burning Times?"
"The Burning Times" is the term used by many modern Neo-Pagans and feminists to refer to the great European witch-hunts of the early modern period, coincident with the time of the reformation and seen by many as a crucial step in Christianity's crushing of the Pagan religions, driving these underground. Some authors claim as many as ten million people were killed in these hunts, while more recent scholarship puts the number of documented deaths at 20-100 thousands, 80-90% of these women. Sometimes these numbers are doubled to account for non-judicial killings and deaths from torture, suicide, etcetera. Whatever the numbers, however, victims of these hunts (be they actual witches or not) are perceived as martyrs by Wiccans today, with the lessons of intolerance, misogyny and religious terror clearly noted.
3.6) What are the origins of Wicca?
This is a matter of some debate within Wiccan circles. Some Wiccans see their inspiration and traditions as coming directly from the gods. Certain Wiccan mythology holds that Wicca has come down from the stone age, surviving persecution in secret covens for hundreds of years. Others say that their Wicca is a long-held family tradition (or "fam trad"), passed down through villages and grandmothers. Aidan Kelly argues that modern Wicca was largely pieced together by Gerald Gardner from Margaret Murray, Charles Leland and other sources, with significant revisions by Doreen Valiente (and others), beginning in 1939. Whatever its origins, Wicca today is a vibrant, modern religion, open to change, creativity and personalization.
3.7) What are the major traditions in Wicca and where do they come from?
Aidan Kelly argues that all of Wicca derives from Gerald Gardner, with some crucial editing and revision by his initiate Doreen Valiente. Alex Sanders is widely thought to have acquired a Gardnerian book of shadows, with which he started his own "Alexandrian" tradition, initiating Janet and Stewart Farrar. Other well-known traditions include Raymond Buckland's Seax Wicca, Victor and Cora Anderson's Faery Wicca and feminist Dianic Wicca, which emphasizes the Goddess as put forward by such authors as Zsuszana Budapest. There are also branches of Wicca identifying themselves with various ethnicities and traditions such as druidism, shamanism and so forth.
3.8) What is the "Book of Shadows?" and where do I get one?
The Book of Shadows (or "BoS") is sort of a customized reference book for Wiccans, containing useful information such as myths, liturgical items, one's own writings or records of dreams and magical workings. According to Gerald Gardner, such a book should be handcopied from teacher to student but in practice not every Wiccan has a "book of shadows" and few are exactly alike. Sometimes only initiates are allowed access to a tradition's book, or it may be called by a different name, such as "mirror book," "magical diary" or "grimoire." There are many "books of shadows" available in print and on-line (leading to the "disk of shadows" or even "directories of shadows" several megabytes large). If you'd like to copy from these sources for your personal use, you may assemble your own book, but please observe copyright laws in your newfound enthusiasm.
3.9) What is a coven and how do I join one?
The coven is the basic, cellular "congregation" for some Wiccans, but is often very formal, selective and closed, aiming for an ideal of "perfect love and perfect trust" among members. Most Wiccans begin in less formal ways such as attending festivals, public rituals, classes or more open groups (often called "circles"). Many Wiccans probably begin and continue practice as "solitaries," whether before, after or while a member of a coven. Solitary practice is a valid "tradition" in the Craft, but some good places to find other Wiccans are on the net, at public Pagan events or through occult, political or "new age" bookstores.
3.10) How do I witness about Jesus Christ to a Wiccan?
First of all, please don't do it here. WPSG is explicitly
for discussions on Paganism, Wicca and Witchcraft topics: evangelical posters are not welcome. Those posting and reading here are mainly adults, many of whom are or
have been Christians, have read a bible, heard of Jesus and considered
their beliefs as seriously as you have yours. The more you know about Wicca,
however, the more intelligent you will seem and you are certainly welcome
here as long as you remain on-topic. Reading this FAQ is a good first step,
and in general it is a good idea to "lurk" and read for a while
before posting to any list. Please keep in mind, however, Wicca's
distrust of proselytization and its conscious lack of an evangelical tradition.
Posts which claim we are all going to hell or blather about TRUE POWER!!!
[IN ALL CAPS!!!] are particularly inappropriate, and may be answered with
e-mail complaints to you and/or your service provider.
3.11) How do I learn more about Wicca?
Sticking around and reading this group is one way, as are books and local contacts. Below is a list of initial resources, beginning with the books most frequently recommended, two historical books and a few well-respected authors. At least a few of these should be available through your local library, and most are easily ordered through any local bookstore. All contain bibliographies and pointers towards other material.
4.1) Introductory books on Wicca
Margot Adler, Drawing Down the Moon: Witches, Druids, Goddess-Worshippers and Other Pagans in America Today (Boston: Beacon Press, 1979). Second, 1986 edition, ISBN 0-8070-3253-0.
Starhawk, The Spiral Dance: A Rebirth of the Ancient Religion of the Great Goddess (San Franciscso: Harper & Row, 1979). Second, 1989 edition, ISBN 0-06-250816-4.
Scott Cunningham, Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner (St Paul, MN: Llewellyn, 1992). ISBN 0-87542-118-0.
Stewart Farrar, What Witches Do: A Modern Coven Revealed 1983 (Custer WA: Phoenix, 1989). ISBN 0-919345-17-4.
Silver Ravenwolf, To Ride a Silver Broomstick: New Generation Witchcraft (St Paul, MN: Llewellyn, 1993). ISBN 0-87542-791-X.
Aidan A. Kelly, Crafting the Art of Magic: A History of Modern Witchcraft, 1939-1964 (St Paul, MN: Llewellyn, 1991). ISBN 0-87542-370-1.
Ronald Hutton, The Pagan Religions of the Ancient British Isles: Their Nature and Legacy (Oxford: Blackwell, 1991). Paperback ISBN 0-631-18946-7.
Other authors who are generally well thought of include Amber K., Zsuzsanna Budapest, Janet and Stewart Farrar, Gerald Gardner, Jade and Doreen Valiente.
4.2) Other Usenet Newsgroups besides alt.religion.wicca that may be of interest
| alt.pagan | alt.divination | alt.religion.asatru | alt.magick |
| alt.tarot | alt.religion.shamanism | alt.mythology | alt.satanism |
| soc.religion.satanism | alt.magick.tyagi | talk.religion.misc |
4.3) Wiccan/Neo-Pagan Umbrella Organizations
Wiccan & Pagan Study Group (USA), PO Box 1864, Wylie , Tx, 75098 USA
Wiccan&Pagan Study Group (USA) is a non-profit organisation.
Wiccan & Pagan Study Group (Aust.), PO Box 8108, GCMC, Q, 9729, AUSTRALIA
Wiccan&Pagan Study Group (Aust.) is a non-profit organisation.
Covenant of the Goddess, PO Box 1226, Berkeley CA 94704, USA
Universal Federation of Pagans, PO Box 6006, Athens GA 30604, USA
New Wiccan Church (Gard/Alex), PO Box 162046, Sacramento CA 95816, USA
Witches Against Religious Discrimination, PO Box 5967, Providence RI 02903 USA
Alliance for Magical & Earth Religions, PO Box 16551, Clayton MO 63105, USA
Military WARD, PO Box 2610, McKinleyville CA 95521-2610, USA
The Pagan Federation (British, address same as for Pagan Dawn below)
Circle Network (address same as Circle Network News below)
Church of All Worlds, PO Box 143, Casula, NSW, 2170, AUSTRALIA.
Church of the Ancient Mysteries, PO Box Q223, Q.V.B Post Office, Sydney, NSW, 2000, AUSTRALIA
Pagan Alliance (Australian, address same as The Pagan Times below)
4.4) Established Wiccan/Neo-Pagan Periodicals
Green Egg, PO Box 1542, Ukiah CA 95482-1542, USA
The Cauldron, Caemorgan Cottage, Caemorgan Rd, Cardigan, Dyfed Wales SA43 1QU 11, UK
Circle Network News, PO Box 219, Mt Horeb WI 53572, USA
Enchante, 30 Charlton St #6F, New York NY 10014-4295, USA
Pagan Dawn (formerly The Wiccan), BM Box 7097, London WC1N 3XX, UK
Beltane Papers, 1333 Lincoln St #240, Bellingham WA 98226, USA
G.R.A.I.L. Directory, GPO Box 1444, Canberra City, ACT, 2601, AUSTRALIA
The Pagan Times, PO Box 100, Malmsbury, VIC, 3446, AUSTRALIA
Other resource lists are posted to this group from time to time, including lists of FTP sites, WWW URLs, offers of materials and reference files. Among those we found particularly useful in writing this FAQ (and explicitly tried not to duplicate or replace here) are the US Army "Chaplain's Manual" entry on Wicca and the soc.religion.paganism newsgroup FAQ. Both are recommended for those with further interest in Wicca and Neo-Paganism.
Doreen Valiente retains copyrights to all her copyrighted material,
but the rest of this FAQ is in the public domain as a service and gift
of the Goddess. We ask all who distribute it to keep it intact and attribute
it when quoted or reproduced elsewhere.
The Alt.Religion.Wicca FAQ is maintained by rain@teleport.com.
It is posted to alt.religion.wicca once each full moon, and to other forums as seems appropriate.
Alt.Religion.Wicca is a discussion newsgroup.
"Eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill: an it harm none, do as you will"