Posting-Frequency: monthly (full moon)
Last-modified: 10 October 2003
URL: http://www.dmcom.net/bard/arwfaq2.txt
Hear ye the words of the Star Goddess; she in the dust of whose feet are
the hosts of heaven, and whose body encircles the universe:
"I who am the beauty of the green earth, and the white moon among the
stars, and the mystery of the waters, call unto thy soul: Arise, and
come unto me. For I am the soul of nature, who gives life to the
universe. From Me all things proceed, and unto Me all things must
return; and before My face, beloved of gods and of men, let thine
innermost divine self be enfolded in the rapture of the infinite. Let My
worship be within the heart that rejoices; for behold, all acts of love
and pleasure are My rituals. And therefore let there be beauty and
strength, power and compassion, honor and humility, mirth and reverence
within you. And thou who thinkest to seek Me, know that thy seeking and
yearning shall avail thee not unless thou knowest the Mystery: that if
that which thou seekest thou findest not within thee, thou wilt never
find it without. For behold, I have been with thee from the beginning;
and I am that which is attained at the end of desire."
- From Doreen Valiente's "Charge of the Goddess"
This list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) is designed as an
introduction to Wicca and to this news group as well as a reference for
those investigating the religion of Wicca for the first time.
ARW FAQ was first composed in March 1995 as a composite of three drafts
by different authors: Lleu (wizard@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
), fireyes@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
and
Rain@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Thanks to Lorax (tyagi nagasiva), Ounce, Karen,
Janice Barlow, Anthony Thompson, Daniel Cohen, Balachandra, Bruce Jones
and C.M. Joserlin ("Raven") for their helpful and thoughtful comments at
various stages of this project. Their views have enriched it greatly.
Version Two is an updated version of the ARW FAQ, supported by many
posters of the group.
1 Introductions
1.1 What is this group for?
1.2 What is Wicca and how is it related to Paganism?
1.3 Why are there posts that have nothing to do with Wicca?
1.4 Which posts provide the best information about Wicca?
2 Basic Orientation
2.1 What are some common, basic beliefs in Wicca?
2.2 What god/desse/s do Wiccans worship?
2.3 What tools and rituals do you use?
2.4 Is there a set liturgy or liturgical calendar?
2.5 What is basic Wiccan theology?
2.6 What are Wiccan ethics, the "Wiccan Rede" and "three-fold law?"
3 Wiccan Beliefs and Practices
3.1 Can I be a Christian/ Jew/ Muslim/ Buddhist/ Taoist/ Astrologer/
Druid/ Shaman/ omnivore/ whatever and a Wiccan?
3.2 What are "dedication" and "initiation" in Wicca? 3.3 Do all Wiccans
practice magic/k?
3.4 Is Wicca the same thing as witchcraft?
3.5 What were "the Burning Times?"
3.6 What are the origins of Wicca?
3.7 What are the major traditions in Wicca?
3.8 What is the "Book of Shadows?" Where do I get one?
3.9 What is a coven and how do I join one?
3.10 How do I witness about Jesus Christ to a Wiccan?
3.11 How do I learn more about Wicca?
4 Resources
4.1 Introductory books on Wicca
4.2 Other Internet Newsgroups
4.3 Wiccan Organizations
4.3 Wiccan Periodicals
4.4 Respected authors
4.5 Other Internet Resources
4.6 Can I get spells here?
5 Copyright and Distribution Notice
1 Introductions
1.1) What is this group for?
Established in December 1994, alt.religion.wicca is Usenet news
group for the discussion of Wicca, also known by some as Wicce, Goddess
Worship, the Old Religion, Witchcraft (with a capital "W") or simply
"the Craft."
1.2) What is Wicca and how is it related to Paganism?
"Wicca" is the name of a contemporary Neo-Pagan religion, largely
promulgated and popularized by the efforts of a retired British civil
servant named Gerald Gardner. In the last few decades, Wicca has spread
in part due to its popularity among feminists and others seeking a more
woman-positive, earth-based religion. Like most Neo-Pagan
spirituality's, Wicca worships the sacred as immanent in nature, drawing
much of its inspiration from the non-Christian and pre-Christian
religions of Europe. "Neo-Pagan" simply means "new pagan" (derived
from the Latin _paganus_, "country-dweller") and hearkens back to times
before the spread of today's major monotheistic (one god) religions.
A good general rule is that most Wiccans are Neo-Pagans but not all
Pagans are Wiccans. Please consult alt.pagan or the alt.pagan FAQ
(archived at http://www.dmcom.net/bard/altpag.txt)
for more general
information on Neo-Paganism.
1.3 Why are there posts that have nothing to do with Wicca?
ARW is an unmoderated group where some have come to consider a
home. We are a family of sorts and all families have their squabbles. No
one censors any thing that is posted here. People post what they feel
like posting and how they desire to post. Another similarity to families
is that you cannot pick your relatives and here we cannot pick whom
posts. Friends and foes have been made over the years at this group and
at times it shows very much.
1.4 Which posts provide the best information about Wicca?
Due to the unmoderated status of the group not all posts have the
same value or merit. Just because it is posted often does not make it
good advice or information. There are some posters who do not understand
Wicca, some who have no personal experience of Wicca, and some who
deliberately seek to present a very negative view of Wicca. Any advice
which is given, even if in a format which appears authoritative, should
be treated with caution. The reader is encouraged to treat all postings
(including this FAQ) with resevation until exploring the posted
information and the poster's history.
2 Basic Orientation
2.1 What are some common, basic beliefs in Wicca?
In addition to its positive view of nature, many find Wicca more
welcoming of women than other religions, with an emphasis on personal
experience and a tolerance of other paths. As a whole, Wiccans value
balance with a respect for diverse complexity, seeing sexuality and
embodiment as essentially positive, spiritual gifts. There is a sense
of personal connection to the divine life source, which is open to
contact through "psychic power," mysticism or "natural magic."
2.2 What god(desse)s do Wiccans worship?
Although some Wiccans focus on particular gods from particular
world mythologies, Wiccans may worship many god(desse)s by many
different names. Most worship some form of the Great Goddess and Her
consort, The Horned God. Such duo-theistic forces are often conceived
as embodying complementary polarities, not in opposition. In some
traditions worship of the Goddess is emphasized, although in others the
Goddess and God are seen as complementary co-equals. The Goddess and
God may be seen as associated with certain things (such as the Goddess
with the earth or moon, God with sun and wildlife, etc.), but there are
no hard and fast rules. Some traditions worship the Goddess alone while
others see Divinity as essentially beyond human understanding, with
"Goddess" and "God" simply a convenient shorthand.
2.3 What tools and rituals do you use?
Some ritual items are common to almost every Wiccan tradition, such
as the athame (ritual knife) and chalice (ritual cup). Others may be
used by some traditions but not others: bells, brooms, candles,
cauldrons, cords, drums, incense, jewelry, special plates, pentacles,
scourges, statues, swords, staves and wands. The meaning of these
items, their use and manufacture will differ among traditions and
individuals. Usually a Wiccan ritual will involve some sort of creation
of sacred space (casting a circle), invocation of divine power, sharing
of dance/song/food or wine and a thankful farewell and ceremonial
closing. Rituals may be held at Wiccan "sabbats" or "esbats"
(see below) or to mark life transitions such as births, coming of-age,
marriages/handfastings, housewarmings, healings, deaths or other rites
of passage.
2.4 Is there a set liturgy or liturgical calendar?
Most Wiccans mark eight holiday "sabbats" in the "wheel of the
year," falling on the solstices, equinoxes and the four "cross-quarter
days" on or about the first of February, May, August and November. The
names of the sabbats may differ between traditions, and many Wiccans
also mark "esbats," rituals for worship in accordance with a given moon
phase (such as the night of the full moon). Although there is no one
source for all Wiccan liturgy, many liturgical items such as the methods
for casting the circle, the "Charge of the Goddess," certain myths and
formulaic expressions are common to many traditions. Some common
formulaic expressions include "hail and welcome/farewell," "blessed be"
(sometimes abbreviated on the net as B*B) and the closing "Merry meet
and merry part, and merry meet again." There is no one bible or book of
common prayer for all Wiccans, however, and great value is placed on
creativity, poetry and the artful integration of different myths and
ritual elements.
2.5 What is basic Wiccan theology?
Some myths and associations are common to many Wiccan traditions,
such as the Goddess' giving birth to the Horned God, the theme of their
courtship and His death, the descent of the Goddess into the realm of
death and others. Another theological point held in common by many
Wiccans is the *immanence* of deity/divinity within the natural world,
self and cycle of the seasons. This places value on the earth and this
world, as distinguished from views of transcendent divinity and an
unenchanted creation. Wiccans as a whole are very much "into" cycles:
of life, of the moon and seasons. Cyclical change as an erotic dance of
life, death and rebirth is a popular theme in Wiccan imagery, ritual and
liturgy. (_Thea_ is Greek for "goddess," by the way, so "theology" is
not a typo here, but a way of emphasizing the Goddess.)
Although it may be foolhardy to compare things as complex as
religions, people do. Many Wiccans distinguish themselves from
Satanists, for example, in preferring complementary views of divinity to
adversarial ones. Others may note their own comfort and embrace of
ambiguity and polytheism (many gods). Unlike the Jewish, Christian or
Islamic traditions, there is little emphasis on interpretation of
"scripture" or a revealed text. Although many Wiccans may believe in
some sort of reincarnation, they may distinguish themselves from
Buddhists in seeing life as a journey or adventure without any desire to
"leave the wheel" of return. Like Hindus, Wiccans may pride themselves
on their tolerance for other paths, like Buddhists they may value
personal insight and like Taoists they may seek to align themselves more
perfectly with nature. Some Wiccans may separate themselves from the
"New Age" in their value for both "light" and "dark" aspects of
existence, a do-it-yourself attitude and a distrust of money or
hierarchies of "enlightenment" which seem to place spirituality up for
sale.
2.6 What are Wiccan ethics, the "Wiccan Rede" and "three-fold law?"
Wiccan ethics are seldom codified in a legalistic way, but may be
informed by some common expressions such as the "Wiccan Rede" and the
"three-fold law." According to most versions of the three-fold law,
whatever one does comes back to one thrice-multiplied, in amplified
repercussion. One short, rhymed version of the Wiccan Rede states
"Eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill: An it harm none, do what you
will." Often "none" is interpreted to include the doer themself in
analogy to the "golden rule" of other faiths.
There are no universal proscriptions regarding food, sex, burial or
military service and Wiccans, as a rule, discourage proselytization
(attempts to convert others to a different religion).
3 Wiccan Beliefs and Practices
3.1 Can I be a Christian/ Jew/ Muslim/ Buddhist/ Taoist/ Astrologer/
Druid/ Shaman/omnivore/ whatever and a Wiccan?
Since much of Wicca is more worldview and ceremonial practice than
anything else, there is no Wiccan proscription of such things. Most
traditions have no requirement to denounce any other faith and, indeed,
Wiccans often look askance at "one true wayisms" which claim to have a
monopoly on truth, divine revelation or enlightenment. "Christian
Wiccans" probably face the largest skepticism, however, given the
history and ongoing reality of allegedly "Christian" persecution.
Prejudice (fear of job-loss, child-custody challenges, ridicule,
vandalism and even violence) may still keep many Wiccans "in the broom
closet," with concealment and dual observances a traditional Wiccan
defense against persecution. This may make contact with Wiccans
difficult in some areas. Since Wiccan worship is fairly active by it's
nature, non-participating observers are rarely invited to Wiccan
rituals.
3.2 What are "dedication" and "initiation" in Wicca?
These things mean different things in different traditions. Usually
"dedication" ceremonially marks the beginning of Wiccan study, while
"initiation" may mark full membership in a coven/tradition (such as
after "a year and a day") or may indicate elevation in skill or to
special clergy status. Some traditions look on all initiates as
co-equal clergy, while others have grades or "degrees" of initiation,
which may be marked by distinct sacramental ceremonies, duties or
expectations within the tradition.
Some people claim that "only a Witch can make a Witch," whereas
others say that only the Goddess and God or demonstrated skill can make
a witch. Doreen Valiente was initiated by Gardner himself, but she slyly
asks, "who initiated the first witch?" Valiente and others assert that
those who choose to "bootstrap" a coven into existence (by an initial
initiation) or to use self-initiation may do so, citing the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights. Self-dedications are also quite common
among new practitioners and solitary Wiccans ("solitaries").
3.3 Do all Wiccans practice magic/k?
That depends on what one means by magic. The occultist Aleister
Crowley helped re-popularize archaic spellings such as "magick",
terming his "the Science and Art of causing Change to occur in
conformity with Will." Others may think of magic as folk parapsychology
or see the changes wrought as primarily changes in consciousness.
Ceremonialists may distinguish between the "high magick" of ritual
observance and the "low magic" of practical spells (such as for
protection and health). Almost all Wiccans, however, have some sort of
ceremony or psychological practice to better attune themselves with
divinity, encouraging insight and a sense of efficacy. Others may cast
love spells or other curses but no, we don't do it for strangers on the
net and no, we don't confuse this with stage magic.
3.4 Is Wicca the same thing as witchcraft?
The short answer is no. Many cultures have a negative word like
"witchcraft," often viewing it as a malevolent, supernatural tool used
by the weak, old or malicious. Some people use the term "witchcraft" to
cover more general skills, such as counseling, the occult and herbcraft.
Some Wiccans call themselves "Witches," capitalizing it as a gesture of
solidarity with the victims of the Burning Times, but this is a
personal decision. Although many Wiccans today may cast spells and
practice magic/k, these are not considered an integral part of Wicca by
all Wiccans. Wicca is not traditional folk magic and all magic is not
necessarily Wiccan, anymore than all people who pray belong to any
particular religion.
3.5 What were "the Burning Times?"
"The Burning Times" is the term used by many modern Neo-Pagans and
feminists to refer to the great European witch-hunts of the early modern
period, coincident with the time of the reformation and seen by many as
a crucial step in Christianity's crushing of the Pagan religions,
driving these underground. Some authors claim as many as ten million
people were killed in these hunts, while more recent scholarship puts
the number of documented deaths at 20-100 thousands, 80-90% of these
women. Sometimes these numbers are doubled to account for non-judicial
killings and deaths from torture, suicide, and etceteras. Whatever the
numbers, however, victims of these hunts are perceived as martyrs by
Wiccans today, with the lessons of intolerance, misogyny and religious
terror clearly noted.
3.6 What are the origins of Wicca?
This is a matter of some debate within Wiccan circles. Some
Wiccans see their inspiration and traditions as coming directly from the
gods. Certain Wiccan mythology holds that Wicca has come down from the
Stone Age, surviving persecution in secret covens for hundreds of years.
Others say that their Wicca is a long-held family tradition (or "fam
trad"), passed down through villages and grandmothers. Aidan Kelly
argues that modern Wicca was largely pieced together by Gerald Gardner
from Margaret Murray, Charles Leland and other sources, with significant
revisions by Doreen Valiente (and others), beginning in 1939. Whatever
its origins, Wicca today is a vibrant, modern religion, open to change,
creativity and personalization.
3.7 What are the major traditions in Wicca and where do they come from?
Aidan Kelly argues that all of Wicca derives from Gerald Gardner,
with some crucial editing and revision by his initiate Doreen Valiente.
Alex Sanders is widely thought to have acquired a Gardnerian book of
shadows, with which he started his own "Alexandrian" tradition,
initiating Janet and Stewart Farrar. Other well-known traditions
include Raymond Buckland's Seax Wicca, Victor and Cora Anderson's Faery
Wicca and feminist Dianic Wicca, which emphasizes the Goddess as put
forward by such authors as Zsuzsanna Budapest. There are also branches
of Wicca identifying themselves with various ethnicity's and traditions
such as druidism, shamanism and so forth.
3.8 What is the "Book of Shadows?" Where do I get one?
The Book of Shadows (or "BoS") is sort of a customized reference
book for Wiccans, containing useful information such as myths,
liturgical items, one's own writings or records of dreams and magical
workings. According to Gerald Gardner, such a book should be
handcopied from teacher to student but in practice not every Wiccan has
a "book of shadows" and few are exactly alike. Sometimes only initiates
are allowed access to a tradition's book, or it may be called by a
different name, such as "mirror book," "magical diary" or "grimoire."
There are many "books of shadows" available in print and on-line
(leading to the "disk of shadows" or even "directories of shadows"
several megabytes large). If you'd like to copy from these sources for
your personal use, you may assemble your own book, but please observe
copyright laws in your newfound enthusiasm.
3.9 What is a coven and how do I join one?
The coven is the basic, cellular "congregation" for some Wiccans,
but is often very formal, selective and closed, aiming for an ideal of
"perfect love and perfect trust" among members. Most Wiccans begin in
less formal ways such as attending festivals, public rituals, classes or
more open groups (often called "circles"). Many Wiccans probably begin
and continue practice as "solitaries," whether before, after or while a
member of a coven. Solitary practice is a valid "tradition" in the
Craft, but some good places to find other Wiccans are on the net, at
public Pagan events or through occult, political or "new age"
bookstores.
3.10 How do I witness about Jesus Christ to a Wiccan?
First of all, please don't do it here. Alt.religion.wicca
is explicitly for discussions on Wicca and Wiccan practice: evangelical
posters are not welcome. Those posting and reading here are adults,
many of whom are or have been Christians, have read a bible, heard of
Jesus and considered their beliefs as seriously as you have yours. The
more you know about Wicca, however, the more intelligent you will seem
and you are certainly welcome here as long as you remain on-topic.
Reading this FAQ is a good first step, and in general it is a good idea
to "lurk" and read for a while before posting to ANY newsgroup. Please
keep in mind, however, Wicca's distrust of proselytization and its
conscious lack of an evangelical tradition. Posts which claim we are
all going to hell or blather about TRUE POWER!!! [IN ALL-CAPS!!!] are
particularly inappropriate, and may be answered with e-mail complaints
to you and/or your service provider.
3.11 How do I learn more about Wicca?
Sticking around and reading this group is one way, as are books and
local contacts. Below is a list of initial resources, beginning with
the books most frequently recommended, two historical books and a few
well-respected authors. At least a few of these should be available
through your local library, and most are easily ordered through any
local bookstore. All contain bibliographies and pointers towards other
material.
4 Resources
4.1 Introductory books on Wicca
Margot ADLER, _Drawing Down the Moon: Witches, Druids,
Goddess-Worshippers and Other Pagans in America Today_ (Boston: Beacon
Press, 1979).
Second, 1986 edition, ISBN 0-8070-3253-0.
Newest Arkana ISBN 0-14-019536-X.
STARHAWK, _The Spiral Dance: A Rebirth of the Ancient Religion of
the Great Goddess_ (San Franciscso: Harper & Row, 1979).
Second, 1989 edition, ISBN 0-06-250816-4.
Scott CUNNINGHAM, _Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner_
(St Paul, MN: Llewellyn, 1992). ISBN 0-87542-118-0.
Stewart FARRAR, _What Witches Do: A Modern Coven Revealed_ 1983
(Custer WA: Phoenix, 1989) ISBN 0-919345-17-4.
Silver RAVENWOLF, _To Ride a Silver Broomstick: New Generation
Witchcraft_ (St Paul, MN: Llewellyn, 1993). ISBN 0-87542-791-X.
Aidan A. KELLY, _Crafting the Art of Magic: A History of Modern
Witchcraft, 1939-1964_ (St Paul, MN: Llewellyn, 1991).
ISBN 0-87542-370-1.
Ronald HUTTON, The Pagan Religions of the Ancient British Isles:
Their Nature and Legacy_ (Oxford: Blackwell, 1991).
Paperback ISBN 0-631-18946-7.
Other authors who are generally well thought of include Amber K.,
Zsuzsanna Budapest, Janet and Stewart Farrar, Gerald Gardner, Jade and
Doreen Valiente.
4.2 Other Usenet Newsgroups that may be of interest
news:alt.pagan news:soc.religion.paganism
news:alt.religion.shamanism news:alt.magick
news:alt.religion.druid news:soc.religion.shamanism
news:alt.mythology news:alt.religion.asatru
news:talk.religion.misc news:alt.divination
news:alt.magick.tyagi news:talk.religion.newage
news:alt.tarot news:alt.satanism
news:alt.pagan.magick news:alt.religion.wicca.moderated
4.3 Wiccan/Neo-Pagan Umbrella Organizations
Covenant of the Goddess, PO Box 1226, Berkeley CA 94704, United
States. http://www.caw.org/
Universal Federation of Pagans, PO Box 6006, Athens GA 30604, USA.
New Wiccan Church (Gard/Alex), PO Box 162046, Sacramento CA 95816,
USA.
Witches Against Religious Discrimination, PO Box 5967, Providence RI
02903.
Alliance for Magical & Earth Religions, PO Box 16551, Clayton MO
63105, USA
Military WARD, PO Box 2610, McKinleyville CA 95521-2610, United
States.
The Pagan Federation (British, address same as for _Pagan Dawn_,
below). http://www.paganfed.demon.co.uk/
Circle Network (address same as _Circle Network News_, below_).
http://www.circlesanctuary.org/
4.4 Established Wiccan/Neo-Pagan Periodicals
Green Egg, PO Box 1542, Ukiah CA 95482-1542, United States.
Circle Network News, PO Box 219, Mt Horeb WI 53572, United States.
Enchante, 30 Charlton St #6F, New York NY 10014-4295, United States.
Pagan Dawn (formerly The Wiccan), BM Box 7097, London WC1N 3XX, U.K.
Beltane Papers, 1333 Lincoln St #240, Bellingham WA 98226, United
States.
4.5 Other Internet Resources
Other resource lists are posted to this group from time to time,
including lists of FTP sites, WWW URLs, offers of materials and
reference files. Among those we found particularly useful in writing
this FAQ (and explicitly tried *not* to duplicate or replace here) are
the US Army "Chaplain's Manual" entry on Wicca and the alt.pagan news
group FAQ. Both are recommended for those with further interest in Wicca
and Neo-Paganism,
Witchvox at http://www.witchvox.com/
is one of the most common referred
to resource for pagan contacts and learning more about Wicca and/or
Witchcraft.
4.6 Can I get spells here?
It is possible that you will get help with spells, but unlikely.
Wicca teaches that one should not seek to harm others, thus spells to
curse or cause another to fall in love, bindings are not posted here.
As Wicca embraces that there is not one path belief varies on the giving
of even healing spells. If the person does not know if such a spell is
being cast for their benefit, some believe it is wrong.
5 Copyright and Distribution Notice
Doreen Valiente retains copyrights to all her copyrighted
material, but the rest of this FAQ is in the public domain as a service
and gift of the God and Goddess. We ask all who distribute it to keep
it intact and attribute it when quoted or reproduced elsewhere.
This FAQ Version 2 is posted to alt.religion.wicca once each full
moon, and to other forums as seems appropriate. It is also available on
the World Wide Web at http://www.dmcom.net/bard/arwfaq2.txt
Requests
for corrections and/or updates can be posted to the group or emailed to
the maintainer of this FAQ.
"Eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill: An it harm none, do as you will"
--
news:alt.pagan FAQ at http://www.dmcom.net/bard/altpag.txt
news:alt.religion.wicca FAQ at http://www.dmcom.net/bard/arwfaq2.txt
Want a new group FAQs http://web.presby.edu/~nnqadmin/nnq/ncreate.html
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