Wiccan response to ‘Fox and Friends’ hosts’ take on the Wiccan faith

After viewing a recent video of a portion of last Sunday’s Fox News and Friends Weekend, it becomes necessary to respond to the disturbing discussion between the show’s hosts, Anna Kooiman, Clayton Morris, and Tucker Carlson.  The show’s hosts did little more than belittle Wicca and its practitioners.  Readers can view the clip from the show above.

The show’s hosts, primarily Tucker Carlson, purposefully mock and ridicule the Wiccan faith and its adherents, and the hosts’ comments are unprofessional, unethical and unwarranted.  Carlson willfully attempts to make Wiccans, and anyone that acknowledges the faith system as valid, appear ridiculous.  His assertions and many of the statements offered by his co-hosts have no sound basis in fact.  The commentary on the show only serves to belittle an entire population of people that the hosts of Fox News and Friends Weekend really know nothing about.

First, Clayton Morris mentions the Wiccan and pagan population and questions whether or not they make up a large percentage of the population.  Tucker Carlson responds with: “I do, they don’t.”  

This response is interesting since there are no clear statistics on just how many pagans and witches there are, so how can Carlson possibly know more than anybody in the entire world about the pagan population.  The majority of population surveys are mere estimates, but if one bases an understanding on any estimates (including the notion of a “large population” as subjective,) one will find that the pagan population is considerable.  A little bit of research reveals that according to 2001 statistics, there are an estimated 200,000 to 768,000 Wiccans and pagans in the US alone, depending upon the cited source.  Additional research reveals that the US population of Wiccans is doubling about every 30 months and in Scotland, the Neo-Pagan population is doubling annually (source: http://www.washington-baltimore-paganclergy.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2006/01/wiccaprofile.pdf). 

The Puralism Project at Harvard University has a variety of statistics sources, several of which make estimates related to the pagan population.  In 2000, the Covenant of the Goddess, a highly regarded pagan organization, suggests that there were about 768,400 pagans and witches in the US.  The Ontario Consultants from Tolerance.org suggest a population rate of 750,000 (with a 50% margin rate for all errors) and The Witch’s Voice estimates a population of 1 million pagans and witches in the US and 3 million worldwide.  Additionally, When Carlson says that there are more Zoroastrians than Wiccans in an effort to make the population of Wiccan and pagan practitioners appear small, his efforts do not negate the validity of the Wiccan faith, diminish the significance of the faith system to its followers, or devalue the tremendous spiritual fulfillment Wiccans derive from their religion.

Clayton Morris then mentions the University of Missouri’s Guide to Religions: Major Holidays and Suggested Accommodations and the Wiccan and pagan holidays included in the guide.  Nowhere in the guide does it say that pagans and witches need to have all of their holidays recognized.  In fact, if the hosts take a look at the guide, eight Wiccan holidays are mentioned, not 20 as it is erroneously mentioned in the hosts’ conversation.  (and yes I can name them all).  The eight holidays include Samhain, Yule, Candlemas (also called Imbolc), Ostara (also called Spring Equinox), Beltane, Summer Solstice (also called Litha), Lammas, and Fall Equinox.  If one looks under each of the holidays in the guide, there is a description of the holiday along with some information detailing pagan practices.  However, there is no mention of any recommendation whatsoever to stop planning exams or significant study activities.  Thus, despite the fact that Wiccan holidays equal about one-fifth of the 46 holidays mentioned, there are no recommendations that would suggest to faculty members of the university to allow the holidays to influence academic planning. 

Wiccans do not choose their religion based upon the number of holidays in the faith system.  For Clayton Morris to say such a thing is ridiculous and is tad amount to saying that a Christian is a follower of Christ because they like to take Christmas and Easter holidays off each year.  When Carlson later asks how many Wiccans can name all of their holidays, guessing about 50%, again such a comment is completely out of line.  Any Wiccan who is a sincere practitioner will have little difficulty telling anyone about the eight seasonal sabbats celebrated on a yearly basis. 

In the discussion, Carlson mentions that the downside of Wiccanism is “that it is obviously a form of witchcraft,” and this statement raises two questions.  First, does Carlson know anything about real witchcraft at all?  Since he identifies the “upside” as being a “ton of holidays,” and he states, “Every Wiccan I have ever known is a compulsive Dungeons & Dragons player or is a middle-aged, twice-divorced, older woman living in a rural area who works as a midwife,” it is clear he knows little.  When he co-host Clayton Morris pipes in his view and says, “and [Wiccans] like a lot of incense,” the extent of their knowledge about the Craft and its practitioners is made brutally clear.  Therefore, knowing as little as the hosts of Fox News and Friends Weekend do about witchcraft, Wicca and its adherents, what puts them in the position to judge?  Second, witchcraft is a downside for who?  If the practice is not right for the hosts of Fox News and Friends Weekend, that’s perfectly fine, but why then is it necessary for the show’s hosts to devalue the practices and beliefs of others? 

As far as Samhain (Halloween) being a major holiday for Wiccans, the day is one for honoring deceased ancestors.  The hosts mock one of the most sacred sabbats, suggesting it is not something to take seriously.  Then Clayton Morris suggests that Halloween is an event that has more to do with paganism than Wicca.  Here it should be mentioned that paganism is an umbrella term for people who do not follow the major Judeo-Christian religions, and Wicca is just one branch of paganism.  A bit of research will reveal to the hosts of the show that modern Halloween practices are actually pagan based practices.  If they had read the university’s holiday guide more thoroughly they would have been able to read the full description of the holiday on the university’s website that reads as follows:

“One of the four "greater Sabbats" and considered by some to be the Wiccan New Year. A time to celebrate the lives of those who have passed on, welcome those born during the past year into the community, and reflecting on past relationships, events and other significant changes in life. 

General Practices: Paying respect to ancestors, family members, elders of the faith, friends, pets and other loved ones who have died."  

Wiccans honoring of Halloween is no different from when Christians honor the death and resurrection of Christ on Easter.  Just as Easter holds tremendous significance to those who follow Christ, Samhain holds great meaning for those who are adherents of Wicca. 

As for the interview with Tammy Bruce with her suggesting that Wiccans and Pagans are being used for political purposes and to devalue tradition, the question arises, how do our equally valid traditions devalue the traditions of other faith systems, especially when the university’s guide has no recommendations to make any academic changes for Wiccan holidays whatsoever?  How does the integration of Wiccan traditions “downgrade” other traditions through an “anti-tradition action?”  With confidence in speaking for the majority of the Wiccan community, Wiccans are pleased to have come as far as to have their holidays acknowledged as celebratory events.  Nowhere have Wiccans demanded academic accommodations for them.  Of course, if Wiccans did start asking for holiday accommodations, there would be absolutely nothing wrong with doing so.  Again, Wiccan celebrations are just as significant, important and meaningful as holidays in any other religious tradition. 

Anna makes mention of when Christians in the U.S. say “Merry Christmas” to others it is sometimes viewed as pushing one’s faith on others.  In part this sentiment is true, and the issue works both ways.  A Christian might be highly unappreciative of someone wishing them a “Blessed Samhain” or a “Blessed Lammas.”  The underlying message in such situations is that it is important for everyone, Christians, pagans, and people from all faith systems to have consideration for others.  Whether we agree with someone’s religious values or beliefs is of no import.  What is most important is that we respect one another and act in considerate ways: this is something the hosts of “Fox and News Weekend” failed to do.

There is a petition on Causes.com looking for Wiccan practitioners who want to demand an apology from the hosts of Fox and Friends.  Interested individuals can sign the petition at the following link http://www.causes.com/actions/1733105-demand-fox-news-apologize-to-pagans-and-wiccans.

A Facebook page has been established, demanding an apology from the show’s hosts as well at https://www.facebook.com/FoxNewsPagan.

The co-hosts of Isis Paranormal Radio are planning a discussion on Sunday, Feb. 24 related to the show and the hosts’ commentary.  Interested individuals can listen to the live online radio show at 1 PM ET at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/isisparanormal.  Listeners can join in the conversation, call into the show, and express their opinions in the chat room.

Article by: Dayna Winters, a Wiccan and the co-author of Wicca: What’s the Real Deal? BreakingThrough the Misconceptions.

Should I tell my significant other that I AM Wiccan?

Boy meets girl, boy marries girl, boy finds out girl is a Witch. This formula proved successful in the TV classic Bewitched. In real life this scenario could produce less entertaining relationship issues.  Hiding an interest in or practice of Wicca from someone who is supposed to be an intimate partner is a recipe for disaster.  If being involved in a budding new romance raises concerns about whether to let your suitor know you are Wiccan the question that arises is, ‘Why’?

Why would a new relationship be threatened by your faith? If you have concerns that your significant other will not understand your religion, you may be correct. If this is the case, keeping your religion a secret will not foster a healthy, open relationship. If your partner would not be accepting of your religion it holds true that there is a part of yourself that your partner does not accept, whether it is a secret or not. When the truth surfaces, as truths have a habit of doing, you will need to contend with the damage of secrecy and lack of trust in your partner regardless of their own misinformation about what you believe. Starting a relationship with secrecy or hiding an aspect of your identity should be a warning sign that this relationship lacks a healthy foundation. If you have already been involved in a relationship and then desire to pursue Wicca, it is still necessary to discuss your interests with your partner.  If they would not accept a choice you make to enhance your lifestyle through spirituality, then this speaks to the level of trust in this relationship and should be considered carefully.

How one discloses being Wiccan can play a role in how accepting others are. To discuss the basic beliefs involved in Wicca openly with a partner requires a candid discussion free of judgment on both sides. It is not a topic to be brought up during an argument, or when busy or distracted. It is helpful to use a lot of examples of what your beliefs entail. Since spirituality can be an amalgam of esoteric concepts, being able to link the tenets of your beliefs with actions you take can be helpful. Try to make comparisons to practices with which your partner is familiar. For instance, in telling a romantic interest about Wicca and the reverence for Mother Earth, one can give examples of the spiritual significance of mundane things that your partner has likely observed you doing- such as recycling or keeping a garden. These actions can be explained in their relevance to your religion to emphasize what Wicca is about as well as the fact that “acting Wiccan” doesn’t necessarily place someone on the fringe of society. Lots of people plant gardens and take care of the Earth, Wiccans see it as a spiritual practice. 

 It is important to address misconceptions candidly. Resist the temptation to judge your partner for not knowing what Wicca is.  The challenge now is to build understanding. Your words start this process, but actions must follow. Ask questions to ascertain what your partner has heard about Wicca, and be prepared for their response, good or bad. The goal of this discussion is to correct misunderstandings. This cannot be done successfully unless one takes the time to figure out what information their partner has gleaned. When possible, point to information in your own life, environment or social circle that contradicts misinformation obtained by your partner from other sources. For example, if your boyfriend has only heard of Wiccans being power hungry, flighty, or lacking in serious commitments, you can  point out that your practice of Wicca demands a level of humility, respecting your place in nature, concentrated focus, perhaps you have finished college and have been building a steady career for years etc.

In the long run, it is hoped that a partner can remain respectful and learn from your experiences. Some red flags would be a lack of respect, a demand that you give up your religion, or verbalization of understanding but consistent passive aggressive put-downs regarding your faith. Whether someone believes your religion or not, it is essential in an intimate relationship that each party respect each other’s views enough to not judge, make fun of or criticize the other.

Help! My Parents Will Not Let Me Be Wiccan!

As Wicca continues to grow in popularity it is understandable that young people searching for ways to make sense of the world and attain spiritual peace will continue to want to explore this path as well. Problems may arise when a teen’s parents or guardians do not understand the Wiccan faith, or, worse, are not open to understanding and exploring it for themselves prior to judging Wicca as evil. What should a young person do if confronted with this dilemma? Is what mom or dad doesn’t know still going to hurt them? Is it better to abandon all hope of studying Wicca to appease the family? 

No matter what lifestyle a teen is exploring within their own natural or constitutional rights, when in mom or dad’s home, one must do or not do as mom and dad say. If a teen has a true interest in Wicca that is more than a passing impulse, the opportunity to worship the God and Goddess and practice this faith will await them when they are independent and able to establish their own lifestyle outside of the confines of the family home. 

In the meantime, some potential for education or compromise may exist depending on the openness of the family as well as the diplomacy and behavior of the teen.  For instance, if Betsy, a 16 year old, introduces her interest in Wicca to her parents openly and shows her parents some positive books from the local library to help answer any questions they  have, or brings her parents to a positive practitioner of Wicca in the community to address concerns or questions, a discussion can ensue in which her parents can express their concerns or misunderstandings. They may still have concerns about Betsy being harassed or bullied at school or still have rules they wish her to follow such as not practicing with a group without their permission or without introducing them to the group leaders etc. but these matters are more likely to be discussed openly now. 

Say in contrast that Carrie, another 16 year old, becomes more and more withdrawn and secretive with her family. One day her mother is doing her laundry and finds Wiccan literature in a pocket of her jeans. Confused and concerned, Carrie’s mother confronts her daughter with her interest in Wicca. An argument ensues and her mother forbids her from practicing Wicca.  Her mom has come to associate secrecy and deception with her religious interests, and the opportunity to promote understanding and gain mom’s trust lost. 

The process of discussing interest in Wicca with a parent can vary but these examples illustrate the need to be open, respectful, and to go the extra mile to educate others. How a teen acts toward their religion and the process of sharing information they have learned with others will go a long way in building bridges vs. burning them. It remains the parents’ right to establish limits and rules in their house. A teen who is committed to exploring Wicca will have ample opportunity to pursue the faith in their own independent lifestyle when this milestone occurs. In the meantime, respecting nature, respecting parents as embodiments of the God and Goddess, and respecting Mother Earth are practices that can continue regardless of the title one wears or identifies with and will prepare the teen for a Wiccan lifestyle later on in the future.

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 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 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.

An Explication of the Principles of Wiccan Belief: Part 6

We do not recognize any authoritarian hierarchy, but do honor those who teach, respect those who share their greater knowledge and wisdom, and acknowledge those who have courageously given of themselves in leadership.

Wiccan practices allows flexibility, and it is essential to realize that there is no singular structure or hierarchy adhered to by all practitioners of Wicca.  In addition, there is no uniform system of establishing authorities in smaller work in covens or groves that is shared by all practitioners.  It is up to a specific coven to develop a hierarchy: one delineated by their own traditions.  This hierarchy will often recognize some form of rank or eldership, usually individuals titled clergy Priest or Priestess.  These titles may continue to be defined based on specific tradition; for example, a High Priest and High Priestess might hold the most seniority and are the highest ranking elders in the specific coven.  Other clergy in a coven group might hold rank of Priest, Priestess and, in some traditions, this is further broken down into degrees of which there are usually three.  In many but not all covens, there are also significant milestones recognized in spiritual development that are acknowledged through title and privilege, such as a distinction between neophyte, dedicate, initiate etc. Such titles generally imply rank related responsibilities and privileges like the ability to hold ceremonies and rites specific to that tradition which are unknown to those of a lower rank; the ability to begin practicing Magick; the definition of role within the group as healer or in another specialty, or the ability to study and be attuned to the energy of a specific elemental force.

Traditions vary and the structure of specific covens differ. There is within each Coven also an understanding that the elders and clergy of a coven are to be respected for their knowledge and work, but the elders are not part of a larger council or governing body. This allows for autonomy and integrity of various traditions. It is also known in coven and solitary practice that, in this faith, there is respect given to those who have established themselves as pioneers in the re-claiming of the Craft and who have worked to promote Wicca as a legitimate, positive, innocuous religion: this respect comes prior to a title, degree, or rank. For example, much progress has been hard earned by Wiccans who fought to obtain the right to have a Pentacle signify the grave of Wiccan soldiers fallen in battle. Whether the individual was a High Priestess, Priestess of any degree etc. is not held as fundamental, but the respect of the perseverance of individuals and groups involved is acknowledged. Regardless of title, we strive to lead by example. In such a way, we recognize that our titles may not be given credit by the outside world, but our deeds will. We also acknowledge that neophyte through elder, our deeds are what truly delineate our connection with the Divine.

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 Wiccan Belief: Part 4

“We conceive of the Creative Power in the universe as manifesting through polarity – as masculine and feminine – and that this same Creative Power lies in all people and functions through the interaction of the masculine and the feminine.  We value neither above the other knowing each to be supportive of the other.  We value sex as pleasure as the symbol and embodiment of life, and as one of the sources of energy used in magical practice and religious worship.

Most practitioners of Wicca recognize energy in all forms of life consisting of duality. These opposing forces are conceived of as “masculine” and “feminine” energy; although, this does not refer to gender in a mundane sense, but the nature of this energy being a projecting or receiving force. Like tides in an ocean the ebbing and flowing waters are both necessary, and as one tide advances while another recedes, neither is dominant or superior to the other.

This energy is embodied as a God and Goddess who carry the nature of this receding and advancing energy. As all things in nature must have balance, Wiccans see polarity of opposites in the God and Goddess.  With the God and Goddess as the culmination of energy manifest in Divine form, it is then only natural to hold the exchange of energy between them, or the combination of masculine and feminine energies, as an act of divine union. In Wiccan religion, this is considered the “Great Marriage” of the God and Goddess and their union is the source of nurturing and fertility of all nature on a seasonal cycle.  Thus, the Wiccan view of combining masculine and feminine polarities in sexual union is considered sacred. In viewing sex in this manner, we see it as a Divine act of combining powerful energies, and it is an act to be treated with respect. Whether for pleasure or procreation we see it as an extension of the act of creation that allows nature to continually rejuvenate season after season.

We hold the concept of balance as being critical as we see all things in nature as existing in the context of their polar opposite. Joining with a partner in sex, regardless of gender, is a bringing together of complimentary energies which some choose to engage in for magickal practice; however, this is completely up to the individuals and should never be performed under any type of coercion.  One can be just as successful in magickal workings combining energies with others through gathering in a circle to raise energy through rituals that do not contain any intimate physical contact, or that contain symbolic representations of the God and Goddess joining in the Great Marriage, such as holding the athame (ritual knife) with the blade inside the ritual chalice (representing the Goddess). Magick is about harnessing energy through intent, and for a Wiccan to channel the powerful energy of opposites in nature, the act need not be literal but can be represented symbolically.

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 Wiccan Belief: Part 3

By Angela Kaufman

“We acknowledge a depth of power far greater than that apparent to the average person.  Because it is far greater than ordinary it is sometimes called ‘supernatural’, but we see it as lying within that which is naturally potential to all.”

Courtesy of NASA.

As Wiccans, we are often asked if we are “also psychic.”  We view capabilities to access senses and information not readily available to the five basic senses as something that is available for cultivation by anyone who chooses to spend the time and effort developing such talents. Sure, some people may grow up in a culture that foster the development of psychic tools and intuition, and others may find a more natural inclination toward clairvoyance, telepathy, or some other “psychic” talent.  Nevertheless, the potential to access information or harness the energy that flows through the Earth and Universe is not a “gift” that is reserved for only “a select few.” 

We acknowledge that such power and capabilities exist which gives us an advantage in knowing that we have the capability to access and utilize senses beyond the mundane. However, it does not give us any more of an advantage than it would an individual who also acknowledges such power, even outside of practice of the Wiccan religion. Conveniently, this power is labeled “supernatural” or “paranormal” because it is on the outer fringe of what traditional sensory perception would offer, but as Wiccans, we perceive “psychic” abilities as a birthright or something that is inherent in all beings.

Although traditionally the supernatural has been relegated to fringe groups, religious gurus, mystics, Witches, or traditional healers, again it is the belief in being able to access our natural abilities that allows us to cultivate a talent in doing so.  Let’s imagine the following scenario: a group of people start a community and believe in the existence of only what they had bothered to scout out (the fields, trees, etc,). The villagers establish an entire community based around what they have encountered and experienced. The group spends time tending to the trees and fields.  Thus, the villagers’ understanding of their external environment is only based on the knowledge of the things that they have already physically encountered.   Now imagine that a few villagers wandered beyond the established perimeter of their community and that they discover a nearby lake. They spend enough time by the lake to learn to swim and fish; later, their peers may consider them special or gifted since they have mastered the ability to swim or to provide food through fishing. However, the reality is that if any of the villagers chose to spend time at the lake learning how to fish or swim, they could master the same talents.

The realm of the “supernatural” in which Wiccans believe and with which we interact consists of harnessing energy for healing or Magickal workings, accessing intuitive or psychic guidance, interacting with Spirit Guides or Animal Totems or even the Deities and Ancestors. Even the enigmatic “Magick” associated with Wiccans and Witches is not a special gift reserved for winners of some supernatural lottery. Magick is the art and science of directing will and intent to manifest desires in the mundane. Just as praying is accessing Divine assistance in co-creating an outcome (protection, healing etc.), so too is Magick the practice of combining Divine, elemental, and other natural and spiritual forces to help orchestrate a specific result.  The practice of accessing intuitive guidance or working with Spiritual Guides and helpers is also not too far removed from the practice of asking intervention of saints and angels in other belief systems. In fact, to Wiccans, accessing assistance from the Divine or Spirit Guides is parallel to calling tech support when experiencing a computer problem. It is not a special privilege, as all you need is a phone and the number to access this guidance. So too with “supernatural” assistance, it is simply a matter of awareness and cultivation of the practice of interacting with spirits, the “higher self," and/or the Divine. 

Join in the discussion!  What does this principle mean to you?

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.