Messages in the Moonlight - Basics of Wicca

Basics of Wicca

The Myths Surrounding Wicca

I. Wiccans are Satanists
Satanism is an entirely different religion from Wicca.
To answer based on the common misconception of Satanism: Wiccans do not believe in a devil or source of evil. Even if they did, what good would come out of worshiping one? Wiccans believe in personal responsibility. They don't need an entity to point a finger at.

II. Wiccans practice dark magick
Magick isn't dark/black/bad or light/white/good. That is, unless you look at electricity as so. Sometimes dark/black/bad is used to describe negative magick, and light/white/good to describe positive magick. Wiccans practice magick such as cleansing, banishing, healing, binding, et cetera keeping the Law of Three and/or Law of Return in mind. Wiccans do not use magick that is unethical or that could cause harm in any way unless necessary to protect others and prevent further harm (even then, it is only after much thought and consideration and all mundane options have been exhausted).

III. Wicca is about sex and nudity
There are Wiccans and witches who enjoy sex, but the same can be said about anyone of any religion. Sex is a choice that can be made by anyone of any religion (although holy script in some religions say it is only to be used for procreation and not pleasure). Nudity is a personal choice. If one feels more comfortable in the nude, then they can perform ritual skyclad. However, if one feels uncomfortable in the nude, then they wear clothes. Working skyclad is completely up to the individual. Bottom line, Wicca is not about sex and nudity.

IV. Wiccans and witches wear black
So do non-Wiccans. Some people wear black to flatter their figures or bring out their eyes or some other feature. Others wear black just because they like it. If only Wiccans and witches wear black, does that mean that everyone at a funeral are Wiccans and/or witches? Wiccans and witches wear whatever they feel like wearing, just like anybody else. Some Witches do wear black for magickal reasons. However, this is true of other colors, as colors often have specific meanings and intentions. This would be no different than feeling a need for a "pick-me-up" and choosing to wear a bright color like red.

V. Witches fly around on brooms and eat babies
You've actually seen Wiccans and Witches do this? I suppose they sacrifice holy virgins to dark demonic figures in the night as well... I'm sorry, no, they don't. As far as the flying goes, the rumors likely started from things such as astral travel and ointments that were used that gave the feeling that one was weightless. The ointment was much like a psychedelic that caused hallucinations. As for the baby-eating, we stick to plants and animals like everyone else. Wiccans and Witches are not cannibals.

The Reality of Wicca

I. The Goddess and God
Wiccans believe in a male and female deity. They are the God and Goddess. They go by many different names and aspects (in "The Real Witches Handbook," Kate West uses the example of a disco ball: it has many faces but is still the one ball). They are both equal and opposite. They are everything and They are nothing. The God and Goddess are balanced as nature is balanced. There are also some Wiccans who believe in the All. Much like the ancient concept of Chaos which is everything and nothing at once, the idea is that the All is a much higher concept which is nearly impossible for the human mind to fathom, and so it is broken down into the Goddess and God. The concept of the All ties in with other beliefs, such as "All Gods are one God."

II. Respect for Nature
Wiccans try not to take more from nature than they need to, and try to heal her if the need arises. The best way to start is by recycling and conserving water. Wiccans realize that humans are a part of nature and strive to be one with nature. Wiccans view nature as reflecting the Divine as Deity is manifest in nature. We recognize that we are merely human and that we can't control the actions of everyone, but we do what we can on our part to help the environment. Partly because of this belief, many Wiccans and Witches who are vegetarian or vegan strive to reduce needless animal cruelty and slaughter by boycotting meat and dairy industries. However, there is no requirement in Wicca that an individual be vegetarian or vegan.

III. Freedom of Spiritual Choice
Wiccans believe that all human beings have the right to believe in what they want to. This belief goes against Christianings/Baptisms, Wiccanings (ones that claim a child as a Wicca), and the like. A simple prayer to or a blessing from the Goddess and God asking that they watch over the child is acceptable to this belief (in many cases, this is a Wiccaning). This belief is basically saying "live and let live to freely choose." We do not proselytize and have been known to frown down on those that do, particularly when that proselytizing promotes negativity such as guilt, undo judgment, hatred, anger, and the like.

IV. Personal Responsibility
Wiccans believe that everyone is responsible for themselves. They do not blame some source for their actions. Nor do they blame others for their faults. Any choice that one makes, they are responsible for any consequences. While the Rede (see below) advises the individual to avoid causing harm, an individual is not bound to do so. However, the individual must realize his or her responsibility beforehand, and accept the consequences of his or her actions.

V. The Wiccan Rede
"An it harm none, do as ye will!" Wiccans live by this guideline, though there are differences in interpretation. While it is often confused as being a law or commandment, it is merely advice to aid in decision-making. Some also refer to it as a life goal. The Wiccan Rede should not be confused with the Wiccan Credo. (Learn More.)

VI. Personal Development
Each Wicca is responsible for learning and growing on whatever path he or she is following on his or her own. Wiccans must find what is right for them by themselves. They must take their life into their own hands. While the aid of mentors and teachers is a great part of learning and growing, the individual must determine what he or she agrees with rather than blindly believing without second thought. Otherwise, the individual will stagnant rather than grow as necessary.

VII. Wiccans Are Each Their Own Priest/ess
No Wicca needs someone to contact the Goddess and God for him or her. Nor does he or she need someone to tell him or her what to believe. It is all up to the individual. Wiccans see no reason to have a single person, or group of people, interpret the Goddess and God for them. The Gods reveal themselves in ways that will appeal to the individual. Everyone will view Them differently. While an individual may grow with the aid of a mentor or teacher, it is ultimately his or her own thinking and developing that determines his or her view. So long as an individual still maintains and believes the basics of Wicca to be true, they are considered Wiccan.

VIII. The Elements
Wiccans believe in five elements that basically make up everything. These are Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Akasha/Spirit. Some Wiccans feel that too much emphasis is placed on the Elements, seeing them not as entities but merely concepts to help us to understand the world around us. However, all agree that they are an important part of Wicca.

IX. The Sabbats
Wiccans believe in eight Sabbats or holidays. The Sabbats are solar-centered and show the relationship between the Goddess and God. The Sabbats observe the seasons of the year. They are called many different names, and may be celebrated on slightly different days. They are generally as follows: Yule-December 21, Candlemas-February 2, Ostara-March 21, Beltane-May 1, Midsummer-June 21, Lammas-August 1, Mabon-September 21, and Samhain-October 31.

X. Cycles of the Moon
Wiccans observe the cycles of the moon just as they do with the seasons. Wiccans celebrate Esbats on full and new moons in honor of the Goddess. Small group/coven meetings are sometimes also referred to as Esbats, most likely due to the fact that covens generally hold meetings during the full and/or new moons. The cycles of the moon are an integral part of Wiccan understanding, not solely because of the moon's connections with the Goddess, but because as the cycle progresses and repeats itself, it is metaphorical to many of life's lessons.

XI. Magick
Wiccans believe in the use of personal energy to cause needed change. Magick is produced during rituals, spells, chants, blessings, and prayers. Magick has been defined several ways. Its format, structure, and methods are just as, if not more, varied. As with prayer, it has been proven (even if only on personal levels) to work. Some Wiccans will point out that spells are like fancy prayers. Others in the Wicca community will beg to differ. While spells certainly are not the same as prayers, effective prayer in which energy is raised and guided can be just as powerful as any spell.

XII. The Three-Fold Law and Law of Return
Wiccans believe that whatever is sent out will be returned times three. This is called the Three-Fold Law or the Law of Three. Seeing this as something like a scare tactic found in many religions, some Wiccans come to find that the Law of Return (reflects the scientifically accepted theory that "every action has an equal and opposite reaction") reflects nature more, and so do not fully agree with the Three-Fold Law.

XIII. Reincarnation
Wiccans believe that everyone goes through multiple lives, or incarnations, until we perfect our souls (by learning all of life's lessons). Some Wiccans believe we reincarnate only as humans; others beg to disagree. Some believe in the concept of karma, that how we live our present lives will determine how we begin our next. Others think that each life is a new beginning and how it starts depends on what lessons we chose to learn before reincarnating. There are many theories and views on reincarnation, its processes and purposes, in Wicca.