(formerly hosted on"Moira Scott's Witchcraft Pages")

The Craft IS a nature-based fertility religion. It has its roots in very old, likely Neolithic religions.

Most of what Wiccans practice today can be described as 'reconstructionist' Craft, as none of the original practices have survived intact. Evidence of their existence, however, can be found in shrines, statues, texts and other archeological evidence found world wide.

One of the key elements found in Wicca, and one that attracted me to it, was the concept that human beings DON'T have dominion over the earth. We are NOT superior to the other creatures that inhabit our world. Rather, we share this earth with them.

Constantly evolving, The Craft can best be described as a 'creative' religion' - in more ways than one.

Since it does not rely on a singularly agreed upon holy book, or creed, the practitioners of various expressions, also known as traditions, have borrowed from many of the world's religions.

One of the key factors of Wicca in particular, is balance - balance between light and dark, God and Goddess, male and female. Contrary to popular belief, Wicca isn't all spells and hocus pocus (that's better left to Hollywood's special effects teams). Real Wicca is derived from a careful mix of practical magic (such as spell craft and divination) and devotion to the Old Gods.

Who are “the Wicca”?

Being the traditionalists that we are, we refer to ‘Wicca’ and ‘Wiccans’ in relation to the Gardnerian and Alexandrian traditions. It was Gerald Gardner who first brought the term ‘Wicca’ back into modern usage. He coined it for the type of Witchcraft he experienced and later developed into a tradition of his own. Therefore, in order to distinguish ourselves from other pagan and witchcraft traditions, we use this term to identify anyone who is initiated by their peers into either the Alexandrian or Gardnerian lines. In this view, one cannot call themselves a Wiccan if one has not been initiated in either of these lines or traditions that grew from them.

Initiation

To become Wiccan Priesthood, one has to be initiated by 3rd Degree members of Priesthood. In keeping with the concept of balance, a female candidate for priesthood is said to be initiated by her High Priest and vise versa. In this vein one cannot ‘self-initiate’. One can, self-dedicate, but such a rite will NOT make one a Priest or Priestess, nor will it make them a Wiccan.

The Degree system – the initiatory process is laid out in varying Degrees, with the Third Degree being the Highest.

To say that the Craft has exploded onto the scene in the last 30 odd years would be an understatement. All over the world, almost every day, new traditions,covens, groups and churches are being formed. No one knows how many Craft practitioners there are world wide, but judging from the plethora of websites such as this one, there are indeed a great number.

Is it a Cult?

Wicca is a religion -and in reality does not resemble the fictionalized "Hollywood" versions made so popular in films such as "The Craft" and television shows such as "Sabrina" and "Charmed" which focus upon the allure of spellcraft and tend to ignore the Old Gods.

However, there is far more to the Craft than just spell casting and magic - a love of the Old Gods is fundamental. The best way to learn about them, and our own ancestors' forms of worship is to read the myths.

The best sources of well-researched and documented myths can be found in the Penguin Editions. Many universities use them - and with good reason, as their detail and substantiation are wonderful.

If you are thinking of joining any group, grove, church or coven, check them out thoroughly first. Ask questions. Ask to be a guest at one of their rituals - talk to coven or group members. Feel it out. If you are in doubt whether or not the group you are about to be involved with is legitimate, visit this link: Cult Evaluation Frame.

Remember, use your own common sense! If the group is doing something that makes you uncomfortable - MOVE ON!

Don't settle for anything less - since the Craft's popularity has exploded in the last few years, finding a group has become easier...

It is known as a "pagan" religion, meaning that its followers believe in many different Gods, some male and some female, as opposed to the monothesitic beliefs of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The word 'pagan' comes from the Latin "pagani" or 'country person'. Paganism, in its many forms was the religion or belief system of the ancients. Similarily, the term 'heathen' meaning 'a person from the heaths', can also refer to pagans, but this word has fallen into disfavour since the conversion of Europe.

Witchcraft is but one demomination of the vast number of pagan religions that exist today. Under this umbrella term, there are many sub-groups or traditions, such as Eclectic, Gardinarian, Faery, Alexandrian, Seax-Wicca, etc. While each of them has a distinct structure and belief system, it can be agreed that one 'law' that all Witches subscribe to, is that of the Law of Karma, or Three-Fold return.

Because The Craft is a truly 'creative' belief system, new traditions are being created all the time. Undoubtedly, one can say that the Craft truly is in tune wih the times - for it is always growing and evolving. Unfortunately, because of the broad spectrum of changes, Witchcraft and Wicca have been difficult to pin down when it comes do dealing with government bodies. In Canada in particular, the Craft remains in legal limbo. While we have won the right to have two holidays off per year, we still do not have the right to legally marry or bury our dead.

The Sabbats

Samhain - October 31st
(Celtic New Year, Festival of the Dead, or the Third Festival of Harvest. Know as the Celtic Dark half of the Year, or the first day of the Celtic Winter.) On this day, the Celts would honour their ancestors, and hold a feast of remembrance, commonly known as the Feast of the Dead.

Contrary to popular opinion, and general misinformation, Pagans in the British Isles and Europe who celebrated this festival, did NOT conjure up the dead.

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Winter Solstice - Yule
First day of Winter (Yule, Alban Arthan, or Midwinter.)

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Imbolc - February 2nd
Celebration of Brighid in Ireland, the return of the Light to the Land, Oimelc. (The Christian term for this is Lady Day.) It should be noted that every holiday in the Christian Calendar has its origins, whether by date, symbol or both, in Paganism.

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Spring Equinox - Ostara
First day of Spring (Vernal Equinox, Festival of the Trees, Alban Eilir.)

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Beltane - May Eve & May 1st
(May Day, Rood Day, Rudemas - the first day of the Celtic Summer half of the year.)

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Summer Solstice - Litha
First day of Summer (Midsummer, Alban Hefin, or Litha.)

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Lughnasadh - August 1st
(August Eve or the First Festival of Harvest. Lammas is the Christian name for this festival.)

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Autumn Equinox - First day of Fall
(Fall Sabbat, Mabon, Alban Eifed, or the Second Festival of Harvest.)

Note: The Sabbats have developed from Celtic, British, Saxon and Gaelic influences. Pagans in warmer climates had no need to celebrate Samhain. Therefore, performing the Descent of Inanna at Samhain, and calling the ritual "Samhain" is basically culturally incorrect as the Summerians did not experience Winter.

The same goes for the rest of the Sabbats. Rituals celebrated on Sabbat days should remain culturally appropriate.