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WICCA

Wicca is essentially the lore of the wise, (whether woman or man) although more usually woman in olden times. The old woman who lived on the outskirts of the village and who had perhaps a stronger connection with nature than most, who did most of the ceremonies, laying out birthing and so on, usually able to see the future (Clairvoyant) and perhaps also a Spirit Medium. Good with herbs and potions, in fact taking the place of the National Health, Psychiatrist and Midwife all in one!

This tradition is almost identical to the Shaman, and many other disciplines in other cultures, just the name is different.

Witchcraft or Wicca is an earth religion, a re-connecting with the forces of nature, revering the “Old Gods and Goddesses” the pre-Christian deities of Europe

Principally revered is the Triple Faced Goddess, who is also the Goddess of the Earth, and her escort the horned God. (Green Man)

The names that we call our Gods and Goddess differ from place to place and from culture to culture. In Egypt she was Isis, is Ireland Brigit. It doesn't matter how we name them for they are all the same person.

In many circles the actual name is thought to be too sacred to speak aloud, and they are referred to as “The Lord and The Lady” What this does in fact is to honour both the male and female.

Wicca (and Shamanism) differs from many other religions in that they honour all other religions and their deities. You will very rarely find a pagan of any sort pushing their own religion! We have to find the way ourselves

Wicca teaches that there are many paths to the divine, and by celebrating Nature.

Wicca believes that there is much to be gained and learned by studying the past, myth, song and ancient rituals of past civilizations, to try to guard the earth and all her citizens.

One of the things that separate Wicca from all other major religions is that there are no set rules, or rituals, each person or group has its own way of working and celebrating.

The Solo Witch. (Often called the Hedge Witch)

This is usually a very traditional path, going back in fact to the old village “wise woman” and has a lot in common with the Shaman and Druid. In fact these days it is common to be both Witch and Shaman, and to use the best of both!

What does the Solo or “Hedge Witch” do? Keeps the seasons, reveres the world of natures, communes with all animal life, trees, water, uses ritual to carry spells, divines the future, teaches people to love each other and respect the planet. And practices “harmlessness”

Yes we have power, some of us frighteningly so! But the mark of a good witch is that she only uses it for good! And then sparingly! The results can sometimes be very far-reaching and alarming! The very best way to use magic is not to use it! The mark of a successful witch or Shaman is to “Lead from behind” by daily living the life that you believe in, YOU BECOME THAT LIFE! And others will come to you to learn.

The Coven Witch.

Many witches prefer to belong to a coven, although this can present difficulties as:-

YEAR AND A DAY APPRENTICESHIP (no good and serious coven will take you in on other terms than this!)

SPACE IN GOOD EXISTING COVENS (lack of, they tend to be like family groups and rarely take in strangers!)

LOCATION (often none in your area)

FINDING ONE TO SUIT YOU, AND THAT YOU ARE COMFORTABLE WITH. (or consider starting your own)

Good covens usually have very strict traditions, rituals and clothes (or not)

And work for the good of the planet, people in need, healing and so on.

Wicca has only one creed, “DO AS THOU WILT be the whole of the law AN IT HARM NONE” which has been misinterpreted to mean "do as you like"! which it most certainly does not mean.

"Do as you will" means in this context "do as your higher self leads you to do, for the good of all"

RESPONSIBILITIES AND THE LAW OF THREE.

Witches of either sort are very moral people, and well know that what they put out will eventually return to them to the power of three,

Some people think that to be a witch gives you permission to do as you wish without counting the cost or others, nothing could be further from the truth!

Most witches, especially hedge witches are animal lovers and can communicate on some level with animals. This is not always so for Coven witches, but then in the “burning times” it was the solo witches (old harmless woman) who were persecuted, often simply because of the connection with their animals who were perceived as ‘familiars’

It is believed that many of us who were persecuted in the “Burning times” have returned as witches again and again since then, to continue our work for mankind and for our beautiful Mother Earth.

The Wiccan Calendar

Samhain October 31st. (all hallows eve)

This is the time when the veil between the living and the dead can be passed through, and valuable information brought back to assist us during the coming months. We connect with our Spirit Guides and Ancestors, and look towards developing our Psychic skills.

Yule December 21st

The longest night of the year! Here in the mist of darkness there is stillness, the tide ceases and the Sun child is re-born! A time to give and receive gifts and rejoice for the life renewed! We decorate the house

with evergreens to celebrate the enduring life force.

Imbolic Jan 31st

The sun ascends through the sky, a time to clear away the old to make way for the new. Festival of Bridgid, the celtic fire Goddess of inspiration and healing.

Ostara (Spring Equinox) March 21st

As Spring begins the Earth is re-born, we greet the newly awakened year!

Beltain April 30th

The Earth warms, the plant world blossoms, in olden times we would dance around the May Pole, a time of fertility and re-newal.

Midsummer June 21st

The longest day of the year, all is abundance we celebrate the joy of plenty and enjoy!

Lammas July 31st

A fire festival, A time of the Moon Goddess, we eat the new bread and drink the wines of Summer in gratitude!

September 21st Autumn Equinox (Mabon)

We see light and dark in equal amounts before the decent into “dark time” Harvest Festival is held to thank Earth Mother for her bounty, we eat and drink the fruits of our labours and rest and survive to live another year “by the grace of the Goddess!” Blessed Be!

Look in our blog and forum for more information and deeper explaination of WICCA

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