What’s the difference between a witch and a Wiccan ?
Well, there are some very different schools of thought on this, but my view is that one can practice Witchcraft in the context of any life philosophy that doesn’t oppose taking control of one’s own sphere of influence.
Traditional Wicca is a specific set of practices that is passed through lineaged training and almost always includes Witchcraft (I do not know of any Wiccan Tradition that does not include practices such as building the Temple, creating the cone of power, etc., which I would certainly consider Witchcraft.)
Eclectic Pagan paths with a “wiccish” flavor that are commonly called Solitary or Eclectic Wicca may or may not include Witchcraft.
Do you have to be Wiccan to be a witch?
I know witches who are Catholic, Buddhist, Jewish, Atheist, Hindu, Agnostic and whatever that religion where you wear half a ton of Quartz around your neck is. While some religions incorporate Witchcraft into Traditional practice of the religion, the CRAFT of Witchcraft can be used with almsot any philosophy of life. Personally, I find it does make one more focussed and adept to *have* at least a general outline of a stable philosophy, but even that is not exactly “required”.
The practices that most witches might recognize as a part of their craft have been around since paleolithic times. Early man didn’t paint pictures of a successful hunt on their cave walls for decoration; that is contagious magic. I’ve done work like that myself: Filled my wallet full of monopoly money, only to see my profits grow; drawn images of a sick friend dancing and playing, etc.
Generally speaking, when most people speak of Witchcraft, they are referring to “low” magic, which is practical, straightforward, and uses direct energy manipulation rather than channeling through an intermediary ( spirit guides, Gods, angels, familiars or other disincarnate entities ), although all of the above may be petitioned for assistance in directing the energy. That’s not to say that it is *easy*.
I have a number of resources on my website to whet an appetite. What I don’t have is a one stop guide to the 12 steps to becoming a witch (oops! now I do!), in part because the person who needs that is never going to be much of a witch anyway. One must be inquisitive, self-motivated, determined and responsible to excel in the practice.
Is witchcraft evil?
Is karate evil?
Witchcraft (like martial arts) is a learned skill. It can be used to protect and heal, or it can be used to damage and destroy.
Witchcraft is neutral. Practitioners (witches) are said to practice along the left hand path (centered around the self, personal needs and wants, with little regard for the effect upon others) or the right hand path (centered around the community and caring for it, with full regard for the needs and wants of others.
In truth, all witches practice a little bit of both. Witches are human beings with a skill. Like any human being, they are not always truly selfless, nor are they always truly selfish.
Can ordinary people learn magic?
Ordinary people don’t have devotion to training. Ordinary people don’t care about proper ethics and learning the details of the mechanics of metaphysical manipulation. Ordinary people want a fast track to results now and lack patience. Ordinary people want to be spoon-fed answers. Ordinary people are not interested in introspection and development of patience and acute observational skills. Ordinary people want easy, fast, cheap solutions that cost them nothing.
I have helped several extraordinary people to learn magic and the Craft and excel in their lives. These people were willing to work hard, to grow and change, to learn, to observe, to accept failures and take their time. These people sought out answers through experience, learned to differ in opinion with respect and gratitude, and constantly challenged themselves. These people practiced alone and together to learn to manipulate the subtle strings that allow shifts in perception and in reality. These people were far from ordinary.
But they weren’t more than human.
Am I a witch? Was I born a witch?
This question often comes from those who are naturally sensitive or who have a family history of interest in the Craft. The simplest answer is to respond with a question:
Have you intentionally and actively pursued the Craft, studying and practicing, for a considerable period? (Usually a year or more.)
Being sensitive does not make you a witch. Studying and practicing witchcraft (for some time) makes you a witch. Many sensitives find that the Craft is a natural and confortable step, but one does not predicate the other.
Being born into a family of individuals that practice the Craft does not automatically make you a witch either, although the practices may seem even more natural and comfortable to those who were raised around them. Many “Family Traditions” have special coming of age ceremonies where the child chooses wether or not to make the conscious choice to train in the family’s ways and pursue the Craft.
You can’t be a Witch by accident. It is a conscious choice and an active practice.
Is the Wiccan 3-fold rule actually true?
How important is it to cast a magic circle before spellwork or ritual? Does it make a big difference if you don’t cast one?
It really depends on what kind of work is being performed and how it needs to get “pushed out”.
A circle performs a number of functions. It does effectively keep undesirable energy out, but it also keeps things in, which can work for or against you. It can be used to magnify and accelerate the Work, so that opening the circle releases the Work in a very expansive way. If working with others, it can help to develop the group mind.
Yes, it makes a difference. Wether or not it’s important, well, that kind of comes with practice.
For example, if I am doing work to release a belief that is no longer serving me (“I need cigarettes!”) I would probably NOT use a circle, as it would hold that belief in with me while I do the work. However, once the work is done and I am prepared to do healing work (“I will strengthen my lungs!”) I would. Make sense?
For Wiccan Ritual, OTOH, I almost always “cast circle” but it’s slightly different. This is part of the creation of the temple and is necessary for performing the ritual properly. In this case, it’s more about having a bouncer for the party.
What is the difference between Witchcraft and Wicca?
Witchcraft is a practice and a system. There are some beliefs tied to it, but they are not required. There is a huge difference between western Witchcraft and anthropological Witchcraft.
Wicca is a tricky one, because when Wicca really started to become popularized (around 1940. Actual inception dates vary, but most agree it began in the early 20th century), it meant something very specific: a lineaged, initiatory priesthood of the Old Religion incorporating Witchcraft and mysticism in the Rites. At that time, there was none of this “I’m Wiccan but not a witch” stuff. Again, it was a practice. Though there were beliefs tied to it, they were not required. The oft touted “Wiccan rede” was not a part of original Garderian Wicca; it came from another line of initiatory Witchcraft (NECTW).
Over time, and particularly in the last 20 years or so, the word “Wicca” has become remarkably diluted. Now just about anyone with pagan beliefs who likes to put colored candles at the corners of a circle calls themselves “Wiccan”. Popular books have put forth the idea that Wicca isn’t about Witchcraft at all (although I would argue that it is nearly impossible to properly perform Wiccan ritual without a strong working knowledge of Witchcraft.) and that it is merely a “belief system”.
I wrote an essay several years ago on what it means to hold on to the traditional way of thinking versus the popular “eclectic wicca” view. If you are really interested, it is available here.
I have heard that the God of the Wicca is Thor and the Goddess is Freya. Is this correct?
Every tradition of Wicca works specifically with their own patron god and goddess. In some traditions there are more than one pairing; mine works regularly with 8 deities, although one god and one goddess is given prominence at a time. Outside of Traditional Craft, pagans/wiccans may work with any deity that is willing to work with them.
It is not recommended to “mix pantheons” so as to avoid cultural conflict amongst gods that may be invited into circle. I would also caution be assured of a harmonious relationship between deities of similar cultural source; inviting Athena and Poseidon to the same party may be ill advised. Thor and Freya would probably work ok together, although Freya’s traditional consort is Frey, so that might work a bit better.
Not all Witches work with Deity, but almost all Wicca do.
How can I tell if my circle is “working”?
I have heard people saying that they use a particular song when casting their circle or consecrating their altar and it worked perfectly. How do they know that? They feel it? They notice the effect? I’m from the southern hemisphere and casting a circle is different. Some told me to to do what feels right for me and that I should place my elements in the direction that feels right for me and see if it works. That’s what i don’t understand. what do you guys mean when you say “See if it works”??
Here are some simple “clues” to those new to casting circles. Assuming you have not become sensitive enough to see or feel the energy specifically (you probably are, you just don’t know what it looks/feels like), here are some ways to tell if your circle is “closed”:
- The air inside feels “heavier”. The practitioner may feel “lighter”.
- Static electricity inside may increase.
- Candle flames usually get about 20% bigger when the circles “closes”. It’s subtle, but if you are spotting for it, you’ll notice.
- It is more difficult to visually focus on areas outside the circle. (This actually goes away as you become more accustomed to circles.)
- Your companion animals pause before crossing the threshold of the circle or seem to “see” something where it is.
- When you open the circle, the air temperature seems to drop.
Partially open circles sometimes have:
- “Drafts” or “cold spots”. (same can be found when working with ancestral spirits, but I’m assuming a beginner is not doing that kind of work yet.)
- A sense of “suction” from above (failure to close the sunroof).
- A sense of greater gravity (failure to close the “below”.)
As for the directionality of the circle, I notice a subtle resistance if I attempt to cast a circle widdershins. When casting deosil, I do not notice this. I have not visited the Southern Hemisphere, so I cannot speak to which is beter for that part of the world, but as you become more aware of what the energy movement “feels like” (see above tips) you may beging to notice more resistance in one direction or the other.
