Wicca is a religion of love and joy. Much of the reason why Wiccans are more content and more warm and happy has to do with their empathy with nature. Early people lived hand-in-hand with nature through necessity. They were a part of nature, not separate from it. An animal was a brother or a sister, as was a tree or river. Woman and Man tended the fields and in return received food for the table. Both killed animals for food, but then many animals kill other animals in order to eat. In other words, woman and man were a part of the natural order of things, not separate from it. Not "above" it.

In today's society, we have lost much, if not all, of that closeness. Civilization has cut themselves off from nature, but not the witch. Through high technology, the sophisticated world that this branch of nature men and women have created, the Wicca retains their ties with Mother Nature. It is not unusual to see a Witch, walking through the woods hug a tree or speak kindly to plants. This is all part of keeping in touch with nature; of not losing our heritage.

The Wiccan Rede

"An' it harm none, do what thou wilt."

Do what you will, but don't do anything that will harm another. It's as simple as that.

Principles of Wiccan Belief

1) We practice rites to attune ourselves with the natural rhythm of life forces marked by the phases of the Moon and the seasonal Quarters and Cross Quarters.

2) We recognize that our intelligence gives us a unique responsibility toward our environment. We seek to live in Harmony with Nature, in ecological balance offering fulfillment to life and consciousness within an evolutionary concept.

3) 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.

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

5) We recognize both outer worlds and inner, or psychological, worlds sometimes known as the Spiritual World, the Collective Unconscious, Inner Planes, etc. We see in the inter-action of these two dimensions the basis for paranormal phenomena and magickal exercises. We neglect neither dimension for the other, seeing both as necessary for our fulfillment.

6) We do not recognize any authoritarian heirarchy, 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.

7) We see religion, magick and wisdom in living as being united in the way one views the world and lives within it(a world view and philosophy of life which we identify as Witchcraft) the Wiccan Way.

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 well without harm to others and in harmony with Nature.

9) We believe in the affirmation and fulfillment of life in a continuation of evolution and development of consciousness giving meaning to the Universe we know and our personal role within it. Basically, we believe in Reincarnation.

10) Wiccans aren't evangelical.

11) Every religion is correct to it adherents. All religion are the same, it is just that each are taught differently.

12) We do not accept the concept of absolute evil, nor do we worship any entity known as "Satan" or the "Devil," we do not believe in such entity. We do not see power through the suffering of others, nor accept that personal benefits can be derived only by denial to another.

13) We believe that we should seek within Nature that which is contributory to our health and well-being.

Power Within Us

This is what technical terms call, "psychic power"(for want of a better term). Examples are those who know that the telephone is about to ring before it actually does or others have visions, etc. You may not be like this, but don't feel bad or envious of such people. No. For the power that these people have(and is very real), is inherent in all of us. Yes. Within you, you have the power to do such a thing.

Witches have always believed in this power coming from the body and developed to increase it. This what is known as the aura which is a visible manifestation of this power. Witches have always had the power and used it. Most comes naturally, others have to work at it. For that reason, Witches have their own way of drawing this power out.

Spells and Charms

Spells and charms are the part of Witchcraft most commonly used by the solitary Witch. Spells are mostly done within covens, but there are very effective ones that can be done by the individual. The key element in a spell is emotion. You must want something to happen. You must want it with all your being and that desire to drive all your power into the magick. Spells and charms are not necessarily tied in with the religious side of Witchcraft. It can be done whenever.

Questions to ask yourself to help further your understanding of Wicca

Deities

There are many religions in this world, but they are all the same in a way. It has frequently been said that they are simply different paths all leading to a common center, which I believe is true. The basic teachings are the same, the only difference is the method of teaching. There are many different festivals as there are rituals, and even different names of gods.

The 'Ultimate Deity' is some genderless force which is far beyond our comprehension that we can only have the vaguest understanding of its being, yet we know that it is there. In early development, people came to worship two principle deities: the Horned God of Hunting and the Goddess of Fertility. These were our representation of the Supreme Power then. In the various areas of woman and man's development, we see that these representations became, for the ancient Egyptians, Isis and Osiris; for the Hindus, Shiva and Parvati; for the Christians, Jesus and Mary. The deity was equated with both masculine nad feminine, a God and a Goddess.

Deities Names

The names for the deities vary from land to land. Each having different names yet all being the same deity. Different traditions use different names, as already mentioned. These are the names used for the "understandable forms" of the Supreme Power.

The God and Goddess of Witchcraft

Witchcraft is a religion of nature, as any Witch will tell you. Everywhere in nature there is male and female, and both are necessary. There should be a balance. Thus the God and the Goddess are important and are equally revered. How so? one may ask.

We are all made up of both masculine and feminine attributes. The God has feminine aspects as well as masculine, and the Goddess has masculine as well as feminine.

What names you use for your deities is a matter of personal preference. For me, my God is Apollo and my Goddess is Artemis. Generally, the God is Pahn and the Goddess is the Triple Moon Goddess. Each tradition has its own name, whether your Eclectic, Saxon, Gardnerian, etc. But names are only labels, means to indentifying. You should indentify, then, using a name with which you can feel completely comfortable with. After all, religion is a most personal thing. The God himself knows you are "talking" to him, he's not going to be confused by whatever name you give him(same applies for the Goddess of course).

Reincarnation

Reincarnation is an ancient belief. It is part of many relgions, Hinduism and Buddhism for example. It was even one of the original Chrisitan tenets, until condemned by the Second Council of Constantinople in 553. Many have different versions of what reincarnation is to them. The general belief is that we reincarnate to learn each life lessons until we are done with all that we can learn, then move on.

Retribution

Along with reincarnation go thoughts of Karma. Karma is usually thought of as a reward-and-punishment system stretching throughout all lifetimes(if you do evil in one life, you'll pay in the next life).

For Wiccans, it is the Three-Fold Law. What you put out comes back to you three times more. In other words, rather than being rewarded and punished after death for what you have done in life(the traditional Chrisian view), Witches believe that you get your rewards and punishments during this lifetime, according to how you live it. Do good, and you will get good back. Do evil, evil will return. For example, say you were to punch someone in the eye, it doesn't mean that you will get punched in the eye yourself three times. No. But, sometime in the future, you may "just happen" to break a lef, something which is considered three times as bad as being punched in the eye.

Just because you have chosen a particular lifetime and are to undergo the set experiences does not mean you can just sit back and let it ride. The God and the Goddess will make sure that you do get all the particular experiences but your job is to progress. YOU CREATE YOUR OWN REALITY. Whatever you want you can achieve.

A little reminder. Whenever possible, help those less fortunate than yourself. Don't interfere, just help. It wont kill you.

Your Temple

There are many Witches who work outdoors and many who live in places where they can't work outdoors. Your temple can be outdoors or indoors, so it is up to you on where your temple will be at.