About Wicca

The following articles address some of the most common issues about Wicca. They are posted here as a service of Fly-by-Night. The light background makes the text more readable and printable than our darker background.

What is Wicca?
There's a witch in my house! Help for Non-Wiccans
Teens and Wicca
Wiccan Rituals and Spells

Questions? If you have a question about Wicca or Neo-Paganism, write to Fly-by-Night psyche@flybynightbookstore.com. Your question and our answer will be posted on our web site (with only your first name for those who wish to maintain their anonymity). We may not be able to answer all questions due to volume but will attempt to respond to as many as possible.

What is Wicca?

Although the origins of the word Wicca are unclear, some speculate that it comes from the Old English word for wisdom. Wicca is now another word for Witchcraft, "the Craft of the Wise." Many believe that Witchcraft is based on the pre-Christian nature religions of Western and Central Europe. A Witch is known as a Wiccan, a practitioner of Wicca.

Beliefs

Generally, most Wiccans share some form of the following beliefs:

1.  A reverence for all nature
2.  A belief that the deity--God and Goddess--is represented in nature and nature's rhythms.
3.  A belief in the ability to work magic.
4.  A belief that what one sends out--in thoughts, words, and actions --will come back to oneself in time.

Wicca is a totally positive path whose followers observe only one rule, the Wiccan Rede: "If it harm none, do what you will." Participants live their lives as they see fit, provided they do not intentionally hurt any one else.

Rituals

Wiccans observe the cycles of the moon and the seasons of the year and attune themselves to these cycles. Most Wiccans hold rituals at seasonal holy days and at the full and new moons. Some prefer to worship alone; these Wiccans are called solitaries. Many prefer to meet in groups known as covens. Some covens are run by consensus, while others are run by leaders referred to as High Priest or High Priestess.

Most ritual work is done in a circular space, traditionally nine feet in diameter. The circle is considered a sacred shape because it has no beginning and no ending. Often an altar is set up within the circle to honor the God and Goddess.

Magic

Most Wiccans believe in the ability to harness the earth's energy to work magic, to create change on the physical plane. This is generally not thought of as a "supernatural" idea, but something that is actually quite natural, and very much aligned with the laws of physics.

When working with magic, Wiccans generally use simple items from nature and work with the elements earth, air, fire, and water. These 4 elements are represented in the pentagram, the Wiccan 5-pointed star. The top point represents Spirit; thus the pentagram symbolizes Spirit presiding over the elements.

Wiccans for the most part are ordinary people leading ordinary lives. Wiccans are bank tellers, police officers, school teachers, mechanics, doctors, secretaries. One could pass 100 Witches on the street and never know it! [Yes, both men and women can be Witches. The term "warlock" is not used.] But like most other minority groups, they have been oppressed and misunderstood. Today Witches are coming forward to speak out against this injustice. They want the truth about their way of life to be made clear, to be heard and respected for what they are.

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There's A Witch in My House!

Help for Non-Wiccans

That someone you love should decide one day to be a Witch may be the last thing you ever expected. What could be more alien, more controversial, more overwhelming?

Your loved one is probably exploring Wicca, a modern Pagan (Neo-Pagan) movement. Throw out all the stereotypes and the Hollywood hype you've seen or heard about Witchcraft. Wicca (like other modern Pagan religions) is actually a gentle, life-affirming, positive path. It is a religion and a way of life that connects on a very deep level with Nature and the Earth's cycles. Wicca is very individualized. Its followers do not answer to any all-powerful leader; nor are they cut off from family or friends. Wicca is not a proselytizing religion. For some, it just happens to be the religion that makes the most sense.

How should you respond to someone interested in Wicca? Try to understand that there are many positive spiritual paths from which to choose. Mainstream religion is not for everyone; give your loved one the freedom to choose for him/herself. If your under-age child takes an interest in Wicca, you have the right to insist that he/she stay away from it. But if Wicca is forbidden territory, your child may seek the information subversively; wouldn't it be better to permit overt exploration so that your child may seek information with your guidance?

Occasionally you may hear the terms "white witch", "black witch", implying that there are good or bad versions of the path. This is actually a fallacy. Wiccans follow what's known as The Wiccan Rede, which states, "If it harm none, do what you will." This means one may live life as one sees fit so long as one does no intentional harm. (This includes casting negative spells and doing magic to manipulate others.) Wiccans by definition do not practice any form of negative magic. Those who do are not deserving of the title, "Witch".

No one can speak for others who claim to be Wiccan, and it is possible that there are some alleged Wiccans who are unethical. Keep in mind that in all walks of life, from every cultural, philosophical and religious background there are those who do not live up to the high standards of their community. The best thing to do is to encourage new Wiccans to be discriminatory, to use good judgement and common sense in their spiritual pursuits.

For more basic information about this path please see the other sections of this page including, "What is Wicca?"

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Teens and Wicca

So you want to be a Witch but Mom or Dad are less than enthusiastic about it. Well, if you're living under your parents' roof, the fact is you are obligated to abide by their rules. Trying to practice Wicca behind their backs is definitely not recommended. Make an effort to understand where they are coming from. Your parents may believe it's important to teach you their own spiritual values. The Craft may be wholly new to them, and it may seem like an indulgent fad or a dark preoccupation

When discussing Witchcraft with your parents, be diplomatic in your approach. What are their main concerns about Wicca? Are they reluctant to have you burning candles and incense? . If they fear your involvement in negative, unwholesome activities, by all means assure them that the Wiccan path is a positive one. You may wish to refer them to this site, especially "What is Wicca?" and "There's a Witch in My House!"

If your parents do not allow you to study Witchcraft, you must respect their wishes. But if you do have their blessing in studying the Craft, here are a few basic points to keep in mind:
1. Wicca is a religion, a way of life and a discipline. If you choose to make this your spiritual path you will be discovering things about it and yourself for a lifetime. This is not the kind of thing you "master" through reading one or two books.
2. The focus is on personal and spiritual growth. Living and practicing Wicca is, contrary to all the media hype, a serious business that requires considerable effort. It is not something one does only when one is "in the mood to be a witch".
3. Do NOT practice Wicca to impress or shock anyone. Disregard everything you saw in the movie, "The Craft". This path is not about looking cool, powerful, mysterious, or shocking.
4. Do not mention Wicca to people with the intention of causing a conflict. If your peers are likely to react negatively to Wicca, it may not be a good idea to discuss it with them. Nothing is admirable about setting yourself up to be a victim. If you feel the urge to bring the topic up with those that you know don't approve of it, ask yourself what your motive is for doing this. Do you want to start a fight? Do you want to appear rebellious? Do you want to stand out or be unique? There is nothing wrong with being a nonconformist. But there is no need to go out of your way to prove what you are to anyone. Just be yourself.

How to get started with your practice? A good place to begin is by offering prayers and gifts to the Earth Goddess and the God of the Wild. The following is just one example of such prayers.

Prayers to the God and Goddess

Hail Goddess of the radiant moon
She whose flesh is the living earth
She whose name cannot be spoken
I humbly call you to give you thanks
for all I have been given and ask your
blessings and your guidance
as I follow my spiritual path
Blessed Be.

Hail Lord of the radiant sun
God of the forest and of the field
God of all that is wild and free
I humbly call you to give you thanks
for all I have been given and ask your
blessings and your guidance
as I follow my spiritual path
Blessed Be.

Remember, saying prayers and leaving offerings are acts of reverence. Some gifts that you might offer are:
-stones
-herbs
-food or drink
-works of art and creativity

There is much, more to be learned about the Craft, far more than could be posted on these pages. Good luck with your quest. May your Spirit be nourished with the fire of knowledge! Blessed Be.

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Wiccan Rituals and Spells

Most Wiccan ritual is performed at night, either in a quiet, private place outdoors or in an uncluttered room at home. They are held to observe the cycles of the moon and the seasons of the year. Rites are performed within a sacred circle. Participants take some time to get relaxed and "grounded" and to throw off any cares of the day. The area is symbolically cleansed and swept clear of any negative energies and charged with positive energy. The circle is "cast" or "drawn" with the tip of the athame, or ritual knife [this tool, like other Wiccan tools is never used for negative or harmful purposes.] Next the Spirits of the Four Directions are called upon and their presence and protection are respectfully requested. Then the God and Goddess are invoked. They may be asked to lend their blessings, guidance or power. From there the ritual may vary, depending on its focus. Some rites can be purely celebratory: giving thanks, for example, for the harvest in the autumn, or for the lengthening of days at the Winter Solstice. Others may be for more serious work and may involve working magic. The entire process is carried out with reverence and solemnity.

Spellwork is actually a minor part of real Witchcraft, although it often is one of the most intriguing aspects of it. Spells usually involve some wording (phrases, chants, rhymes) combined with some object or objects (stones, herbs, a candle, etc.) that represent the desired goal. Spells are more than anything a psychological tool that help one focus one's thoughts to meet a specific end. The repeated wording states what one desires to occur; the objects, left upon the altar, carried in a pocket or tucked under a pillow, serve as a constant reminder of the intention. Please keep in mind that spells are never done to control or hurt another person or do anything to anyone against their will.

The following are a couple of spells for you to try. Feel free to adapt them to make them more personal (and thus more effective) or to create your own.

Money Spell
You will need:
small green or gold candle, and candle holder
Money Drawing incense
incense burner
paper and pen

Light a green or gold candle*. Light Money Drawing incense nearby. Write down on a piece of paper the minimum amount of money you wish to receive by, say, the next full moon. Be realistic but open to possibilities. Writing a minimum amount sets a goal for you but does not limit you to that goal. Fold the paper and put it underneath the candle holder. Visualize the money already being yours: in your hand, your wallet, your bank account, etc. You may also wish to chant a few simple words at the same time to help solidify the idea. Hold the image in your mind until the candle has burned down to its holder.

Cleansing and Protection Spell

You will need:
small white candle
small amount of salt
small cup of water
Protection incense, incense burner
broom
a few bay leaves

Light a white candle.* Stir 3 pinches of salt into a small container of water. With a broom, symbolically sweep the area you wish to cleanse. Sprinkle salt water at every door and window, declaring, "Let this space be cleansed! Let only those of good intent enter here. So Mote It Be." Next light your Protection incense. Carry this also to each opening. Waft the incense, declaring, "Let this space be protected from harm! Let no one of ill intent enter here. So Mote It Be." When you are finished, tack a bay leaf above each entrance. *Never leave lit candles or incense unattended.

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