An Explication of the Principles of Belief: Part 13

“We work within Nature for that which is contributory to our health and well-being.”

Wiccans utilize the natural and supernatural realms for resources and physical/spiritual sustenance.  Wiccans seek to utilize the gifts from Mother Earth and our knowledge of other realms to bring balance, peace, and healing to others and ourselves as appropriate.  We do not seek to exploit the fruits of Mother Earth or misuse the energy surrounding us in order to gain power or advantage over others.  We seek to work within that which is naturally available to all in order to promote health and growth, whether it is physical growth, spiritual, or both.  Wiccans also abide by the law “fairly take and fairly give” meaning that we do not seek to ravage the fruits of the Earth even if it were for our own health and well-being.  We believe in acquiring knowledge, wisdom, and balance from our surroundings on a physical and energy level.

We take seriously that our relationship with nature be a mutually beneficial one.  To the best of our ability, we want to give back to the natural world that sustains us, and seek nurturing without greedily seeking to dominate the natural world.  It is within a Wiccan mindset to seek remedies for both physical ailments as well as emotional needs from what is naturally available to us.

We seek to connect with the bounty of Mother Earth to promote health and growth before seeking nurturing from synthetic sources.  This, of course, does not to imply that all Wiccans are devoted to health food or are instant herbalists.  There are sub-specialties that those who follow the Wiccan faith may also be interested in learning.  This principle does not imply that Wiccans do not utilize synthetic objects such as plastics or that all Wiccans only eat organic foods.

Again, there is great variation among Wiccan practitioners.  However, as often as it is possible to do so, we strive to work first with our blessings from the natural world prior to seeking artificial, synthetic, or superficial ways to sustain our health and well-being.  This further strengthens our connection with the Earth and natural energies as well as increases our sense of independence from the material realm.  We recognize that a spiritual path provides a degree of sustenance that is not enriched by a purely material focus alone.

Angela Kaufman is the coauthor of Wicca: What's the Real Deal? Breaking Through the Misconceptions, along with Dayna Winters and Patricia Gardner.

An Explication of the Principles of Belief: Part 12

We do not accept the concept of absolute evil, nor do we worship any entity known as ‘Satan’ or ‘the Devil’ as defined by Christian tradition.  We do not seek power through the suffering of others, nor accept that personal benefit can be derived only by denial to another.

 

This principle is of extreme importance.  One common error people make is in assuming Wicca is “anti-Christian” and more specifically “Satanic.”  The above principal is designed to address this stereotype, stating that in no part of the Wiccan religion is there reverence for, or worship of Satan.  Wiccan philosophy emphasizes seeking balance through polarities in all of nature.  We seek to utilize the concept of polarities to maintain balance in ourselves and the environment around us.  Thus, it is only natural that Wiccans would recognize the existence of a counterpart to what is good, creative and benevolent.  We view this natural opposite to good as inherent in the necessary destructive force in nature.  We recognize that night follows day, birth eventually culminates in death, and warmth eventually gives way to the cold.  We do not align certain natural forces with any type of Satan figure, as we do not view a single Deity as encompassing all that is evil.

 Within the Wiccan pantheon there are aspects of Gods and Goddesses which are less “cheerful” than others.  There is for example, recognition of the spirit of aggression in Warrior deities, and death in Crone or Sage deities.  These deities are worshiped as keeper of the great mysteries of death and rebirth.  They may not carry the light and carefree energies of some of the other deities symbolically aligned with birth and nurturing, but they are significant and benevolent in their own way.  We do not seek out deities associated with justice, darkness, or harsher realities of nature to do our bidding in order to gain power or revenge.  We recognize their existence and we give honor to them as representations of life forces to which we all eventually succumb.  We do not seek personal gain through the suffering of others, and we do not promote the idea of denigration of others or ourselves.

Individual practitioners and covens have their own interpretations of concepts surrounding evil as a force in nature.  Some practitioners recognize balance in nature in the view of some forces of energy that are malevolent.  Others view all forms of energy as inherently containing their opposite to some degree.  In other words, to some Wiccans all that is “good” contains some potential for “evil” and vice versa.  Even among practitioners who recognize evil in the form of malevolent spirits or entities, there is no concept akin to the Judeo-Christian Devil.  The Devil or Satan as a singular evil being is actually a unique figure in monotheistic philosophy.  In most pagan religions recognition of evil beings or forces are typically seen as negative spirits, but not beings that are ruler over by a being of absolute evil.

Angela Kaufman is the coauthor of Wicca: What’s the Real Deal? Breaking Through the Misconceptions, along with Dayna Winters, and Patricia Gardner.  You can find out more about the book at: http://www.wwtrd.webs.com.

An Explication of the Principles of Belief: Part 11

As American Witches, we are not threatened by debates on the history of the craft, the origins of various terms, the legitimacy of various aspects of different traditions.  We are concerned with our present and our future.

The general public has only recently begun to openly warm up to the existence of the modern Craft movement.  It is no surprise that many assume that Wicca is a “new” religion.  Wiccans know that it is not the Craft that is new, but rather the more open awareness of Wiccans in the community as religious tolerance slowly increases.  The above principle is designed to not only challenge the misconception that the Craft recently emerged, but also to remind Wiccans to keep perspective when issues of our own heritage arise.

Contrary reports of the legitimacy of Wiccan history have developed as a result of periods of time when accurate record keeping was not possible due to oppression from the Church.  As a result, it appears as if paganism was prevalent worldwide, then disappeared, then reappeared centuries later with a new name.  The finer points of this controversy are beyond the scope of this article, suffice it to say that there has been debate among Wiccans and non-Wiccans alike about just how much of modern Wicca stems from these ancient pagan practices as it was impossible to keep open records through centuries of persecution.  There is additional controversy surrounding research methods and anthropological studies that link Wicca to various ancient pagan cultures.

Regardless of the extent to which modern Craft practices stem from ancient cultures in verifiable accounts, there remains a common thread weaving pagan religions with basic principles and practices of Wicca and relating all of this back to prehistoric polytheistic societies.  Our link is to our heritage and the Deities we serve, and while controversy arises from terms like “neo-pagan” vs. “reconstructionist religion,” we acknowledge in the Wiccan faith that we are not primarily focused on proving fidelity to traditions practiced in prehistory.  We practice adaptations of pagan practices in America in the modern day. It is Wicca’s ability to adapt and maintain pertinence to larger spiritual goals that has allowed our faith to evolve through the centuries.  We seek to explore our heritage and its relevance in the present, but are not threatened by discrepancies among traditions.  We do not seek to invalidate fellow Wiccans by focusing on such trivia.  Our practice in the present will continue to lead us into the future and with an increase yearning for wisdom and tolerance, what better time to honor our differences with respect?

With all that being said, let’s also consider that saying that we do not debate the history of the craft does not mean we simply forget about what has happened in the past as we move forward into our futures.  Let us also say that to forget the past is to risk repeating it.  While we are not threatened by debates regarding the history of the Craft, Witches are all too aware of the prejudices and religious biases that led to the persecution and death of thousands of people allegedly accused of witchcraft, even when many of those who were accused were not practitioners of the Magickal arts at all.  The Burning Times and the Witch Trials of the past are not to ever be forgotten; they are a constant reminder of what can and does happen when there is no religious understanding and tolerance.  If we were to ignore such events, we would be moving forward into our future blindly, perhaps dangerously, since the past can and does shape future events, especially if it is repeated.

By Angela Kaufman and Dayna Winters: the coauthor of Wicca: What’s the Real Deal? Breaking Through the Misconceptions, along with Patricia Gardner.  You can find out more about the book at: http://www.wwtrd.webs.com.

An Explication of the Principles of Belief: Part 10

“Our only animosity towards Christianity, or towards any other religion or philosophy of life, is to the extent that its institutions have claimed to be ‘the only way’ and have sought to deny freedom to others and to suppress other ways of religious practice and belief.”

This principle explains that the extent of animosity, dislike, ill will, enmity, or the adversarial nature toward Christianity or toward any other religion is the extent of hostility that is warranted in response some representatives of the latter faiths who have sought to limit or deny the rights of Wiccans to believe and worship how they choose to do so.  There is also a dislike for those who outright renounce our beliefs.  In other words, it is not part of Wicca to be “anti-” any other religion or philosophy and Wiccans do not convert or proselytize or solicit membership.  We reserve our teachings for those who openly seek them.  If tensions exist between Wiccan groups and those of other belief systems it is a direct result of hostility expressed in the form of harassment and discrimination against Wiccans for our own religious practices.

There is also no part of Wiccan doctrine or general belief that is mutually exclusive of other systems; Wiccans, as a whole, do not deny the right of others to practice their religions even though it may not coincide with our specific beliefs.  In Wiccan practice, we acknowledge that not everyone in the world may honor the Goddess Isis, for example, but we do not inherently conclude that those who do not worship Her are doomed to some ill fate.  We see it as our practice to honor Her and not to convince others of their dire need to do the same.

A part of this principle extends to Wiccans as a guide, and that is in the specification that this animosity is in correlation to confrontation by others and is not an open invitation to rant on others of different faiths or to become lost in a martyr role.  It is not appropriate to direct anger, unprovoked, at members of other faiths who are not responsible for the derogatory or discriminatory acts or speech of the larger institutions with which their religion is aligned.  We do not seek to discriminate or retaliate against individuals of other religions as a repercussion of their religious institution acting in a discriminatory manner toward those who practice our faith.  It is a statement of defending one’s religious rights when warranted and a reminder that harmony is the overall goal when possible.

Angela Kaufman is the coauthor of Wicca: What’s the Real Deal? Breaking Through the Misconceptions, along with Dayna Winters, and Patricia Gardner.  You can find out more about the book at: http://www.wwtrd.webs.com.

An Explication of the Principles of Belief: Part 9

We acknowledge that it is the affirmation and fulfillment of life, in a continuation of evolution and development of consciousness, that gives meaning to the universe we know, and to our personal role within it.

Wiccans seek to fulfill spiritual development by holding a conscious regard for nature and our place in the world. We see ourselves as part of an ecosystem, nurturing and nurtured by all of life.  We seek to attune our energies to that of the greater world and to find personal and spiritual fulfillment.

Wiccans are spiritual seekers whose religion is entwined with the forces of nature and expressed through worship of the God and Goddess as well as the natural cycles.  To Wiccans, Magick is harnessing energy and psychic “gifts” are merely a skill in tapping in to currents of information that are open to anyone who is willing to take the time to receive it. Dress down the Halloween Witch and what remains is the hard work, dedication and commitment that Wiccans carry in serious pursuit of spiritual development.  This idea may come as a surprise to those whose understanding of Witchcraft developed solely based on media portrayals: depictions based only the frills associated with Witchcraft and Wicca. 

We believe in fulfillment in our spiritual purpose.  The true attraction to this path is to seek harmony in one’s self and the connection to natural forces. Wiccans seek fulfillment in aligning with the cyclical progressions in nature and to develop spiritually. The arts of divination, healing, and Magick are merely part of a greater process in living a Wiccan lifestyle.  What the media often portrays as the culmination of the Wiccan lifestyle, including Magick, psychic phenomenon, ritual, or occult wisdom, are simply fringe benefits of being a Wiccan, not the main focus. The true focus of a Witch is found in following a calling that speaks to one’s own life purpose as a part of the tapestry of nature.  We seek to develop our own consciousness as we exist in relation to the world around us.  We seek to understand our role in the world and carry out our spiritual development in balance with nature and those around us.

Angela Kaufman is the coauthor of Wicca: What’s the Real Deal? Breaking Through the Misconceptions, along with Dayna Winters, and Patricia Gardner.  You can find out more about the book at: http://www.wwtrd.webs.com.

An Explication of the Principles of Belief: Part 8

Calling oneself ‘Witch’ does not make a Witch – but neither does heredity itself, nor the collecting of titles, degrees, and initiations.  A Witch seeks to control the forces within her/himself that make life possible in order to live wisely and without harm to others and in harmony with nature.

It may seem at times like Wicca is so flexible it defies limitations.  Wiccans are frequently accused of being “self proclaimed” or “self-styled,” but let it not be forgotten that the term Witch is being used to describe the practices an individual holds as a valuable part of their craft and way of life. Someone calling himself or herself a Witch in title alone does not a Witch make.  An individual’s deeds, beliefs, and actions must back this title to make it authentic.  It is often believed that one can be given a title, degree, or “gifts” associated with Witchcraft simply by birth.  While many religions have followers who believe in instilling a line of faith to next of kin handed down like a surname, Wiccan practice does not uphold this tradition.  Perhaps because many Wiccans have come to the Craft of their own volition after spending time in faiths bestowed upon them from birth, it seems more common for modern Wiccans to want to allow those to come to this tradition who seek it for personal reasons, and not simply as a matter of family tradition.

This is not to say however that family members cannot introduce others to the Craft.  It is possible that children raised in a Wiccan household will grow comfortable enough with the beliefs of their parents to which they cannot help but be exposed, to want to seek out their own practice in the Craft; however, this may not always be the case.  In many Wiccan traditions children may be welcome at rites when appropriate, or will be exposed to discussion of their parents’ beliefs and practices, but will not be expected to engage fully until at an age to make a conscious commitment to study and practice as a Witch themselves.      

There are also families wherein interest in parts of Witchcraft beyond the spiritual traditions of Wicca prevail sparking an interest in the Occult and supernatural that may yield a study of elements of Witchcraft.  To briefly explain, Witchcraft is the practices involved in performing healing, divination, Magick etc., but does not necessarily embody the spiritual beliefs associated with Wicca as a religion.  Therefore, some families define particular practices as being inherent in their culture: for example, Tarot reading or healing arts, and these practices are taught and fostered in other family members who show interest and potential.  

Some families choose to continue the tradition of Wiccan practice throughout the generations; thus, individuals who do continue to follow Wicca as it was introduced to them by family members are known as “hereditary witches.”  Nevertheless, regardless of family ties, for “hereditary witches” it is typically expected that they will need to learn, grow, and develop skills in practicing elements of Witchcraft and to grow spiritually as a Wiccan, just like anyone else. For comparison, if one is born to parents who speak German, one still needs to learn to speak German.  It may be easier than someone growing up in a Spanish-speaking household who later wants to learn German, but it remains a learning process nonetheless.  It is erroneous to assume that someone will have more potent Magick, more capacity for divination or healing or a better aptitude for telepathy just because their parents were Witches.  There are certainly examples of families who have high numbers of individuals highly attuned to psychic phenomenon but the opposite is also found in some occasions to be true, and it remains controversial to what extent a genetic advantage is involved as opposed to openness, exposure, and practice.  In all, it is how one lives, and follows the path of the God and Goddess, that wisdom to practice Witchcraft develops, not from family history alone.

Angela Kaufman is the coauthor of Wicca: What’s the Real Deal? Breaking Through the Misconceptions, along with Dayna Winters, and Patricia Gardner.  You can find out more about the book at: http://www.wwtrd.webs.com.

An Explication of the Principles of Belief: Part 7

We see religion, magick and wisdom in living as being united in the way one views the world and lives within it – a worldview and philosophy of life which we identify as Witchcraft – the Wiccan Way.

For serious practitioners of Wicca there is more to the term Witch than casting spells, more to being Wiccan than setting oneself apart by being part of an esoteric path, and more to Magick than wearing misunderstood symbols.  Our practice is our way of life, and it embodies our worldview.  Sure, the jewelry is fun and studying divination and healing is enriching, and Magick can be energizing, Sabbats remarkable; but to call one’s self a follower of the Wiccan way is more than dressing the part and saying the words.  It is a way of life, a manner of existing in the community and a course of journeying through the world while holding what is sacred in perspective every step of the way.

        

Serious practitioners are not out to toy with Magick or misuse divinatory practices in unethical or harmful ways; we simply do not have the time and energy to go out of our way to indulge in practices that do not advance our commitment to the Goddess/God and nature.  We practice our religion that acknowledges the power of Magick in the synthesis of energy all around us, but we also attune ourselves to needs of our immediate surrounding while we maintain the wisdom to “fairly take and fairly give.”  Our philosophy carries the importance of co-existing with nature.  We identify with our craft in daily decisions that honor the God, Goddess, and the Earth and provide spiritual fulfillment.  Even the rituals that are part of the Wiccan faith in honoring the changing seasons through Sabbats and the phases of the moon through Esbats are not the total of a Wiccan lifestyle.

Wiccans do not seek to neglect a lifelong connection to the God and Goddess in favor of emphasizing Magick or ritual, but use Magick and ritual to maintain connection to the God and Goddess.  One who is a Wiccan practitioner seeks to align the spirit and philosophies of magick, religious rites, honoring of Deities, and communing with the spirit world into a lifestyle that encompasses daily acts and decisions.  For Wiccans, wisdom, Magick, and religion are all connected in a lifestyle that attunes us to the God and Goddess.

Angela Kaufman is the coauthor of Wicca: What’s the Real Deal? Breaking Through the Misconceptions, along with Dayna Winters, and Patricia Gardner.  You can find out more about the book at: http://www.wwtrd.webs.com.