Well, let’s talk Witchcraft – and, at the very least, answer the question of “Which Witch is which?”
Wicca is only one of many religions grouped under the umbrella of Paganism. Pagan translates into hearth or home dweller, generally meaning a country person. Wicca (aka the Old Religion, Witchcraft, the Craft of the Wise) is basically a religion of nature worship, and its adherents have an intimate connection with nature and seasonal rhythms, which are celebrated with festivals to mark certain points in the agricultural calendar or Wheel of the Year - these are known as Sabbats. Rituals are also held at other times of the year, usually during a full moon, and these are known as Esbats. Rituals are held within the sacred confines of a magick circle. There is a saying that goes ”While every Wiccan is a Witch, not every Witch is Wiccan”. Various paths of Witchcraft include the British Traditionalist (Gardnerian, Alexandrian), Celtic, Dianic, Eclectic, Faerie, Hecatine, Hedgewitch, Hereditary, Kingstone, Norse, Pictish, Seax, Solitary, Strega, Teutonic – to name but a few. Modern Wicca originally evolved from an eclectic mix of influences including freemasonry, ritual magic, theosophy, folklore, woodcraft and traditional witchcraft.
While every Tradition of Witchcraft has its unique theology, there are certain constants: All Wiccans/Witches respect nature, both animate and inanimate; seek connection with the divine creative forces in the form of Goddess and God; and believe in a positive morality that emphasizes responsibility for personal actions and self-development. In short, calling oneself a “Witch” does not make a Witch – but neither does heredity itself, or the collecting of titles, degrees, and initiations. A Witch seeks to control the forces within him/herself that make life possible in order to live wisely and well, without harm to others, and in harmony with Nature.
A major point of contention is the belief in The Threefold Law, part of The Wiccan Rede, which holds that whatever you do, you get back times three (“Mind the Threefold Law you should, Three times bad and three times good”). Thus, you would not often encounter a Wiccan willing to take on the karmic kickback of sending forth negative or dark magick … whereas others hold to “An Eye for an Eye” – the idea that you’re justified in giving back exactly what you’ve been given. This topic has been the source of lively debate at Talisman, and I will leave it to each individual to make their own choice in the matter! Know that while Wiccans ”self police” this does not mean they allow themselves to be attacked or victimized. They will act to prevent themselves or their family from being harmed.
I never get tired of listening to the stories of how individuals found their way onto their unique path. It almost always begins with a love of nature at a very young age - collecting shells, rocks, feathers, pinecones and other gifts from Mother Earth. There is a sense of stewardship toward Mother Earth, Gaia, and all her creatures (both two and four legged). Many had otherworldly experiences as children or adults, and exploring their meaning led them to an earth-based spirituality. Most of us have a tremendous collection of books, and can remember that pivotal day when we first read about Wicca/Witchcraft, and the relief we felt upon recognizing a Belief Sytem that truly “fit” and felt right in every physical, mental and spiritual aspect.
Moving forward from that point, you find a tradition or path which will hold meaning for you, connect to the Wheel of the Year, and search for the God/Goddess within and around you. In addition, you need to learn how to work ritual and magic; methods of raising, containing and releasing power; how to work with the energies of sun, moon, and earth; as well as principles of sympathic magic upon which most witchcraft magic is based. Becoming a Witch means valuing yourself as a unique being – a difficult task if you were raised to belief self-denial and blind obedience equal goodness.
A big question for those new to Wicca/Witchcraft is “Should I tell anyone?” I am very publicly and openly a Hedgewitch – as the owner of Talisman, I’ve been on the radio, TV and interviewed or quoted in quite a few newspapers and magazines in addition to lecturing, teaching and writing … but it isn’t that easy for everyone. And I did lose a few friends when I opened my shop – I didn’t realize (because I have long celebrated Universal Spirituality, or the belief that all paths lead to The One) that I associated with people whose viewpoints were so narrow. As a child, raised Catholic, I distinctly remember directing most of my prayers to Mary and I still collect images of her and The Magdalene. My worship of the Goddess began in high school, which is also when I began reading tarot. In my mid-twenties, I decided to use a tremendous pile of bricks the neighbor gave me to create a formal herb garden. While researching the history and types of herb gardens, I learned about Caprilands Herb Farm in Coventry, CT and its owner Adelma Simmons. Adelma, who would dramatically lead garden tours of the property wearing a long red cape, also wrote wonderful books on the magical, mysterious yet practical world of herbs, plantlore and seasonal celebrations. I was immediately captivated by the idea of herbs, plants and trees having nutritional, healing and magickal properties - and the ability to access this energy was something I connected with very quickly. From plants to stones to oils to candles … I kept reading, collecting books and eventually found my way to Magik Mirror in Milford, where so many of us in southern Connecticut ultimately landed to further our education, buy our wares and have a place to meet and talk. Thanks to Beverly Safko, owner of Magik Mirror, who continues to share her knowledge and friendship so freely with us all – Goddess bless you, Bev!
Let me explain my own chosen path, that of the Hedgewitch (also known as a Kitchen Witch, Green Witch or Ditch Witch). This Tradition is devoted essentially to the practical or working end of the Old Religion, with emphasis on the use of plants and spells for such things as protection and healing. This Tradition may come closest to the generally understood meaning of what a Witch is and does, and it was apparently practiced by the Neolithic inhabitants of most of Western Europe. This is also one of the Traditions most easily practiced by Solitaries, since the required education can be self-taught or learned from others. In keeping with my chosen path, I am naturopathic, raise chickens and garden, keep a stocked apothecary at home, gave birth to three of my four children naturally (my last was an emergency c-section) and avoid all drugs and alcohol, choosing instead to live as naturally and close to the earth as possible. My private rituals are done in the woods behind my home, up next to the 30 foot waterfall that bisects the property. And this is what daily living as a Witch means to me.
Going back to the topic of ”to tell or not to tell?” it all boils down to ”who needs to know – and why?” Wiccans, Witches and Pagans do not proselytize – we don’t go door to door, asking strangers if they know that the Goddess loves them and seeking to convert them into our groups or covens. It is an honorable tradition of The Craft to “keep silent”. Like one’s sexual orientation, your religious affiliation can be as open or closed as you choose it to be – and that decision does not make you any more, or less, of a Witch. Ordinarily you cannot tell whether the person next door is a witch, but many witches do wear a Pentagram or Pentacle, a five-pointed star which is a protective symbol of the five elements of nature, earth, water, air, fire and spirit. When you wear a pentacle, expect to get bold stares and comments – some of which may be negative or downright mean. The two pieces of jewelry I never take off are a sterling ring which says “witch” and a sterling bracelet of tiny pentacles.
All that being said, there is real kinship among our own and it is great to be able to gather and talk openly about our experiences. Talisman is a meeting place for The Circle of the Sacred Well, and they have a permanent Covenstead downstairs www.thecircleofthesacredwell.org. Their events are always listed in my newsletter. The Connecticut Wiccan/Pagan Network (CWPN) is another tremendous resource, I think next year marks my 10th as a member, and they are also listed in this newsletter each month – learn more at www.cwpn.org. If you are searching online, please start with the Witches’ Voice at www.witchvox.com as they have a huge database of information (Talisman is a sponsoring member). On Witchvox, you will find every shop and open coven listed in a wide geographic area, making it an ideal place to begin. Noted authors (and friends of Talisman) Christopher Penczak and Raven Grimassi offer their own unique online courses, visit their sites at www.christopherpenczak.com and www.ravengrimassi.net for more information.
Whether you choose to follow a path that leads to a coven, or a solitary path – I believe you will ultimately find, as I have, that being a Witch speaks to a deep, emotional part of our inner self, something that crosses the gulf of thousands of years, and connects us to the everyday lives of our ancestors. Wicca is a peaceful and loving religion, and these concepts are incorporated into our rituals and daily lives. The tenet “Love is the Law and Love is the Bond” is fully understood by all practitioners of Wicca/Witchcraft.
Blessed Be!
