The Pagan Federation Witchcraft Information Pack

copyright 1991, All rights reserved

What is Witchcraft? 

Many people think of Witchcraft as a magical practice - a means of spell casting and looking into the future. Magic and divination can form part of Witchcraft, but only a part. Witchcraft as it is practised in the Western world today is a religion and a spiritual path.

Witches follow a Nature-based spirituality and revere the 'Old Gods' - the pre-Christian deities of Europe. Witches worship principally the Goddess of the Earth and Triple Moon and her consort, the Horned God; but all Gods and Goddesses, including those of other faiths, are honoured as different aspects of the one Divine power.

The names by which Witches call their Gods vary in different traditions, but Aradia and Cerridwen are common for the Goddess and Cernunnos (which means Horned One) and Herne for the God. In some traditions, however, the names of the Gods are considered so sacred that they are never spoken except in ritual and the Gods are known as the Lady and the Lord.

The rituals and practice of Witchcraft involve a re-linking with the life force of Nature, on this planet and in the stars beyond. In country glades, in city flats, in suburban back gardens, groups of women and men meet at the full moons and at festival times to worship the Gods and to reawaken a sense of oneness with the universe, which has become lost in the frenzy of the modern world. By celebrating the forces of Nature, in ourselves and in the world around us, we catch a glimpse of the origin of Nature, contained within the world yet at the same time more than the world, expressed through time yet equally timeless.

Witches have a strong ecological aware-awareness and sense of guardianship of the Earth. Since the Gods dwell within Nature, Witches believe that our planet is sacred and must be protected from the ravages of humankind.

Witches also reverence the wisdom of the past, believing there is much to learn from the myths and lore of our ancestors and that we can access these through ritual drama, poetry and song, and through living in harmony with the Earth and our fellow creatures.

"Modern witchcraft, in Europe and America, is a fact It is no longer an underground relic of which the scale, and even the existence, is hotly disputed by anthropologists. It is no longer the bizarre hobby of a handful of cranks. It is the active religious practice of a substantial number of people. Just how large a number is not certain, because Wicca, beyond the individual coven, is not a hierarchically organized religion. Where formal organisations do exist, as in the United States, this is for legal and tax reasons, not for dogmatic uniformity or the numbering of members. But the numbers are, for example, enough to support a variety of lively periodicals and to justify the publication of an ever-growing body of literature, on both sides of the Atlantic; so a reasonable estimate would be that the active adherents of Wicca now number tens of thousands, at the very least. And all the evidence suggests that the number is growing steadily.

Wicca is both a religion and a Craft ... As a religion its purpose - like any other religion - is to put the individual and the group in harmony with the Divine creative principle of the Cosmos and its manifestations, at all levels. As a Craft its purpose is to achieve practical ends by psychic means, for good, useful and healing purposes. In both aspects, the distinguishing characteristics of Wicca are its nature based attitude, its small-group autonomy with no gulf between priesthood and congregation, , and its philosophy of creative polarity at all levels, from Goddess and God to Priestess and Priest."

(Janet and Stewart Farrar: EIGHT SABBATS FOR WITCHES)

The rites and practices of Witchcraft are not only a way of contacting the Divine outside us in Nature, but also a way of understanding our inner psyche and contacting the Divine within. The importance of the rites lies not only in their outward form, but in their inner symbolism and meaning. 

"One of the benefits of Wicca is that it exposes us to what Jung called the 'divine archetypal drama' -- the world of myth. ... The seasonal rituals, initiations and even the simple magic circle in which Wicca operates externalize what is happening in the unconscious and allow us to see it, to understand it, to come to terms with it and to grow.

(Vivianne Crowley: WICCA: THE OLD RELIGION IN THE NEW AGE) 

Traditions Within Witchcraft 

The way of the Witch is not a series of dogmatic precepts or beliefs administered by a self-sustaining hierarchical bureaucracy; rather, we believe that we each have within us the capacity to reach out and experience the Mystery - that ineffable oneness with Life and the Source of all Life.

There are many traditions within Witchcraft. In some, Witchcraft is referred to as Wicca, Wisecraft or the Way of the Wise. It is also called the Craft, which emphasizes that it is a skill and technique which must be learned through hard work.

Some traditions have been handed down through families over generations. Others are more modern revivals. Some groups take their inspiration from the pre-Christian religions of certain ethnic groups (Celtic, Greek, Norse, Finno-Ugric etc.); others from the work of modern witches - Gerald Gardner, Doreen Valiente, Alex Sanders, Starhawk; and others by seeking within themselves for inspiration and direction. In recent times, many women have turned to Witchcraft, finding in the role of the priestess an antidote to the lack of voice for women in the major world religions.

The different traditions of the Craft have more similarities than differences. To whatever tradition Witches belong, they are united by a vision of the deity made manifest in Nature: a vision that all seek to celebrate and penetrate more deeply.

 Covens and Solo Witches

 Many Witches meet in small groups, called covens, which give room for each individual to contribute to the efforts of the group by self-knowledge and creative experimentation within the agreed group structure.

Not all those who practise Witchcraft do so in groups. Some prefer to develop their own personal practice by drawing from published sources and their own inspiration. A Witch Alone by Marion Green, a well-known writer on the Craft, points out the joys and difficulties of the solo path:

"The solo path is a traditional one, following in the footsteps of the oracle, the hermit, the Shaman, the Druid Priest. Even those who are able to share the festival and healing rites with others may wish to develop their personal spiritual dimensions, gaining self-confidence and power as an individual witch as well as a member of a coven. But the solo path in any study is hard, and that which leads through the hidden worlds of Witchcraft perhaps even more so, because it is dealing with intangible things, with 'inner worlds" with gods and goddesses, and ancient myths and magic. ... Beginners will have to get used to dealing with the past, and the future, or aligning themselves with a new pattern of celebrations and with their own inner tides." 

(Marian Green: A WITCH ALONE)

 Ritual Practices

The roots of Witchcraft are very old, coming down to modern times through a variety of channels across the world. Much was lost when indigenous religions encountered pressure from Christianity and went underground in order to survive. To follow the old Pagan religions became a capital offence, and even the recording of these practices was risky.

The Pagan Mystery religions all but disappeared when the outer forms of the Pagan religion were suppressed and their traditions were no longer preserved. Parents handed some traditions on to children, but through the centuries parts were lost or changed, and, of course, many new parts were created. These survivals, partly esoteric, through families and secret groups, and partly exoteric, through folk customs, have combined with research into the Old Ways to provide a rich foundation for the modern Craft.

Rites

Witches hold rituals according to the turning of the seasons, to the tides of the moon, and to personal needs. They observe eight major seasonal festivals called the sabbats. Four are solar festivals - the equinoxes and solstices. Four are Celtic festivals - Imbolc (Candlemas -February 1), Beltane (May Eve - 30 April), Lughnasadh (Lammas - 1 August) and Samhain (Halloween - 31 October). Witches usually also hold rituals known as 'esbats' at the full moon.

Where possible, rites are conducted outside in natural settings. By firelight and to the sound of drumming and chanting, Witches enact simple rites to celebrate the seasons and the gift of life.

If season, climate and location dictate the use of indoor ritual, often these are in people's homes. Some Witches keep a special room in their house as a temple for their rites. Others use any room that is convenient. All of Earth is in touch with the Goddess, and so any place may be consecrated for ritual use.

Rituals are performed in a consecrated ritual space marked out as a circle. Within the sacred circle three main activities occur - the worship of the Gods, the practice of magic, and celebration and feasting.

At the major seasonal holidays, the sabbats, the myths of creation, birth, death and renewal are enacted. These are solemn mysteries, but in Craft ritual there is always a balance between 'mirth and reverence

When the worship, teaching or magical work is finished, the blessings of the Goddess and the God are called upon the food and drink which are shared by all. This is the beginning of the feasting. Dancing, singing and revelry are an important part of the festivities. Like our ancestors, we believe we share such ritual feasts, with our Gods. Thus, a portion of food and wine or ale is always offered as a libation.

Once the feasting is finished, the circle is broken and the sacred circle becomes an ordinary space once more.

 Magic 

As well as worshipping the Gods, Witches also practise magic. Spell casting is usually carried out at the esbats, the lunar festivals. Witches believe that the Moon influences our psyche and that we are more magically powerful at the full moon.

The types of magic performed include spells for healing and for helping people with their everyday life problems and work towards the individual coven members' spiritual development. Whatever their purpose, all spells involve the chaneling of energy to achieve positive results, Trance work, clairvoyance and scrying (reading images reflected from a mirror, crystal ball or other surface) are also commonplace.

Many Witches see themselves as guardians of the natural world and of the spirit of community in society, and direct their magic accordingly.

Magic involves the conscious direction of our wills to accomplish a goal without direct manipulation of the material world. Results may occur through the use of subtle energies not yet recognized by physical science, or alternatively through synchronicity: Carl Jung's term for 'meaningful coincidence'. Personal influence, group influence, or the influence of a deity may be invoked to assist in the magical work.

Whatever magic is done will change the magician in accordance with its aims. Witches say that magic rebounds threefold upon its sender and are therefore careful to work magic only for positive ends.

Witchcraft as a Spiritual Path 

The magical arts are also used by Witches as a profound spiritual discipline. The aim of this magic is not transformation of the outer world, but transformation of the inner - the spirit and soul of the Witch.

Many traditions of Witchcraft practise rites of initiation which are designed to awaken us spiritually and to unite us with the divine centre within ourselves. The processes of initiation take us through a guided journey whose route has been well signposted by those who have gone before. This journey ends in what is the ultimate goal of all spiritual systems - unity with the Divine.

The Craft fosters the spiritual development of those who follow its paths through the practice of meditative techniques and through invocation, the inviting of the presence of the deity to manifest in the rites and possibly in a particular priest or priestess. Through invocation, we can achieve a deep state of consciousness in which we experience oneness with the Divine. Each Witch is a priestess or a priest and is encouraged to develop within him or herself the intuitive wisdom and skill needed to channel the universal forces into a form suitable for communion with the ordinary human mind.

Through the practice of the magical arts, we begin to awaken the individual spirit, the upper' part of the soul or psyche, which is indeed the birthright of us all. This enables us to expand our consciousness and penetrate more deeply into the mysteries of Nature.

This type of magic is often referred to as 'High Magic' and can be considered the 'Yoga of the West'.

 Magical Tools 

Ritual implements or 'magical tools' are used in the rites to facilitate a mood, attitude or atmosphere, helping to achieve the psychic state necessary for the consecration of a circle or the working of magic.

The tools are part of a system of symbolism agreed upon by the participants, to assist them in their psychic passage through unfamiliar spaces. Such a system, akin to a map, is arbitrary and not absolute in meaning; it is a guide to a state, which is ineffable and can be contacted most easily through poetry and 'starlight vision'.

Important symbols are the altar items, which represent the elements: earth, air, fire, and water. A Pentacle (a disc, usually of metal, stone or wood) is often used to symbolize earth and its properties: stability, material wealth and practical affairs. A small dish of salt or earth can also be used. A thurible of incense, a bell or a sword can be used to represent air and its properties: communication, perspicacity and understanding. A candle or wand may be used to symbolize the qualities of fire: vitality, transmutation and energy. A chalice of water symbolizes that element and its properties: cleansing, regeneration and love.

There are other tools which are important in some traditions. These include the ritual knife, often called an athame, which is used to direct power (Witches often also have a second knife for cutting herbs or inscribing magical symbols in candles, etc); the cauldron, a symbol of the Goddess and of creation; the besom or broomstick, which is used to cleanse the sacred space; and the stang - a forked staff used to represent the Horned God.

 Seasonal Festivals

The awesome spectacle repeated in the pattern of the changing seasons still touches our lives. During the ages when people worked more closely with Nature just to survive, the numinous power of this pattern had supreme recognition. Rituals and festivals evolved to channel these transformations for the good of the community towards a good sowing and harvest, bountiful hunting and wise visions.

In common with many earlier cultures, most Witches consider the festival days to begin at sundown and to end at the following sundown. Hence a Sabbat such as November Eve (Hallowmass or Samhain) runs through the day of November 1st.

October 31st: Hallowe'en or Samhain (Pronounced 'sow'in').

The night lengthens and we work with the positive aspects of darkness in the increasing starlight and moonlight. Chilled by the first breath of winter, we focus within ourselves to look 'through the glass, darkly' and to develop our divinatory and psychic skills. The ancient Celts, and many Craft traditions, consider this their New Year's Eve. It is the night when the barriers between the worlds of life and death are as thin as veils, allowing the dead to walk among the living to be welcomed and to feast with their kin. This is also the night when the Celtic God Manannon Mac Lir holds the Feast of Age, where those old in wisdom come to learn the inner Mysteries.

 
December 21st: Yule. 

The sun is at its nadir, the longest night of the year. In the midst of darkness, there is a change in the tide. The days cease to grow shorter and the Sun Child is reborn. It is a time for present giving, festivities and rejoicing. We decorate the house with evergreen boughs and perhaps a tree, to celebrate the enduring life force. In our rites, we honour the Goddess as Mother and welcome her newborn son.
January 31st: Imbolc or Candlemas.

As the sun's ascent through the skies becomes visible, candles are lit to hasten its journey and as symbols of our own regeneration. It is a time for turning inward to clear the way for personal spiritual rebirth. Imbolc is the holiday of the Celtic Fire Goddess, Bridget, whose threefold aspects rule "smithcraft, poetry/inspiration and healing. Bridget's fire offers cleansing, tempering and renewal. 'Februum' is a Latin word meaning purification and atonement, thus naming the month a time of cleansing.
March 21st: Spring Equinox (Ostara).

Day and night are equal as Spring begins to quicken the environment with revived growth and new-born animals emerge to explore the world. Many people respond by feeling 'reborn' after the long nights and coldness of winter. The Germanic Goddess Ostara or Eostre, flies over the countryside leaving the eggs of new life and her fertile animal, the rabbit. Festivals for the Greek Goddess, Aphrodite, and the Roman Goddess, Venus, were held on April 1st.

April 30th: Beltane.

As the weather becomes warmer and the plant world blossoms, an exuberant mood prevails. In pre-Cromwellian days, English folk danced around the Maypole, with its promise of fertility. In some traditions, the Maiden Goddess marries her lover, the Young God, Robin or Jack-in-the-Green, on this day. May Day was the mid-point of a five-day festival to Flora, the Roman Goddess of flowers. May morning is said to be the magical time of greatest power for the element of water, when maidens would go out to bathe their faces in the morning dew before dawn, and healers would collect 'wild' water (dew, flowing streams or ocean water) to provide the base for healing drinks and potions in the year to come.

June 21st: Midsummer.

On this, the longest day of the year, light and life are abundant. We focus outward, experiencing the joys of plenty, celebrating the fullness of the season. Annual fairs and festivals were held around this season, and the annual Parliament in Norse lands. In some traditions, the transformation of the Green Man into the Sun King, or a battle between the Gods of Light and Darkness is celebrated. Rhea, the Mountain Mother Goddess of Crete, was said to have breathed out all of creation at this season, which is also the festival of the Chinese Goddess of Light, Li.

 
July 31st: Lammas or Lughnadadh (pronounced 'loonassah').

This festival has two origins: it is one of the Celtic fire festivals inaugurated by the God Lugh in honour of his stepmother Tailtiu. It is also the Saxon Feast of Loaves, Lammas, at which the first of the grain harvest is consumed at a ritual meal. This time is also sacred to the Greek Moon Goddess, Artemis, personification of the moon and the timeless laws of Nature.

September 21st: Autumn Equinox (Mabon).

This day sees light and dark again in equal balance, before the descent to the dark time. A harvest festival is held, thanking the Goddess for giving us enough sustenance to feed us through the winter. Harvest festivals of many types are still held in rural communities. In medieval times, Michaelmas (September 29th) replaced Martinmas (November 11th, old Samhain) as the start of the accounting year, and this custom is still followed in the university and legal terms.

The Wheel of the Year

We return to Samhain, our starting point, having journeyed the 'Wheel of the Year' with its eight spokes: the four major agricultural and pastoral festivals and the four minor solar festivals marking solstices and equinoxes.

For Witches, the eight festivals are times for both celebration and communion with the powers of the Old Gods. They are times when the Gates between the Worlds are opened and the Gods join hand in hand with the dance of human life.

It is not surprising that many Craft festivals coincide with holidays of the Christian calendar. This is no accident. These points in the seasonal cycle were important community celebrations long before the advent of Christianity. They remained largely unchanged, though in name they were rededicated to a Christian saint. This continuity in celebration over the millenia points to the deep spiritual truths which are celebrated at these times.

For Witches, the mysteries of the seasons can never be reduced to a simple written dogma or codified as absolute teaching or creed. Witchcraft is a mystery religion, founded upon traditions which lead each initiate to seek a personal vision of the turning wheel of seasonal change. Each Witch must make his or her own journey of understanding by celebrating the seasons and walking in the ways of nature.

For Witches, the cycles of the natural world reveal the hidden yet ever present mysteries of the Goddess and God. As Spring gives way to Summer, Autumn and Winter, so the Gods are revealed. The cycles of life and death, all these are the living body of the Divine.

 Frequently Asked Questions

 Q. "Is Witchcraft a religion?"

"Yes. Witches reverence the 'Old Gods', the pre-Christian deities of Europe."

 Q. "Is Witchcraft a 'cult'?"

"No. A 'cult' is generally taken as a gathering of people who owe blind allegiance to one charismatic leader who ostensibly represents 'truth'. This is the antithesis of the Witchcraft experience. Most Witches come to the Craft through reading or through communing with Nature, later finding a like-minded group. Witches tend to be highly individualistic."

 Q. "What form does the practice of Witchcraft take?"

"Practices run the gamut from elaborate ceremony through spontaneous ritual to simple meditation and vary from group to group. Dancing and ritual drama are often involved."

 Q. "Do all Witches practise their religion in the same way?"

. "Yes and no. Witchcraft is a highly individualistic religion which contains a minimum of dogma and a maximum of choice. The only rule (though a stringent one, when you think about it) is: 'If it harms none, do as you will'. Most traditions, however, share many similarities such as a reverence for Nature and the working of magic."

 Q. "Are only women Witches?"

"No. There are roughly equal numbers of women and men in the Craft, as the polarized working of Goddess and God is usually stressed in the rituals. Some traditions, such as the Dianic, admit only women, and there are some male-only covens. A male Witch is simply called a Witch, never a 'warlock'."

 Q. "Do Witches have a Bible?"

"No. A Bible is a book containing the sacred writings of a religion. The Craft is derived from Pagan folk-religion, and as a Mystery path, it stresses individual experience under the guidance of the Gods.

A Witch may keep a 'Book of Shadows', which contains rituals, discoveries, spells, poetry, herbal lore, etc., of interest to that person. Covens may keep a similar group book, and some traditions have basic information which is passed on to new members by copying from the group's book; but there is no one document taken by MI Witches as authoritative, as in Judaism, Christianity or Islam. The 'Book of Shadows' is so called because the rites within it are but a 'shadow' of the personal experience they represent."

Q. "Do Witches cast spells?"

"Yes, but since Witches believe that what is sent out returns to the sender, perhaps magnified threefold, they tend to be very careful with spells. A spell is a formula or series of steps to direct the will to a specific end. Energy is drawn from the Earth and from the Witch's own power, concentrated, and sent out into the world.

It is believed that with the proper training and intent, human minds and hearts are fully capable of performing all the magic and miracles they are ever likely to need, through the use of natural psychic power."

 Q. "Do Witches worship naked?"

"Some do, while others wear robes or everyday clothes. Nakedness is typical of Mystery religions. Naked initiates are shown in Roman murals from the early centuries of our era, long after people generally wore clothes at all times. Nakedness symbolizes the true self laid bare before the Gods, and it is believed by Witches to facilitate the transfer of vital power.

Like Western naturists and Native peoples worldwide, Witches do not find nakedness - 'being skyclad' - shameful; nor do they assume it is automatically to do with sex. The prurient would be disappointed to find that coven meetings, while very cheerful occasions, are scarcely 'sexy'. Indeed, they have been described as 'no more stimulating than a naturist club picnic.

 Q. "What place does sex have in your rituals?"

"Sex is seen in a positive rather than a negative light, an expression of the great creative polarity of Goddess and God, the equal and opposite forces of Nature. It should take place only between consenting adults. Rape, child abuse, ritual mutilation and other forms of sexual coercion - of which Witches are often accused by the media and those with over-active imaginations - violate the Witches' ethic of 'an it harm none, do as you will', and form no part of the Craft."

 Q. "'Witch' and 'Witchcraft' are negative terms. Why continue to use those names?"

"Virtually every religion can look back into the dark (and recent) corners of history and find a period when it was held in disrepute. The verb 'to jew' was taken out of the Oxford English Dictionary only after the Second World War. Catholics suffered discrimination in mainland Britain up until the last century. Just because a group was persecuted and maligned at some point is no reason for it to change its name."

 Q. "Do Witches worship the Devil?"

"Absolutely not. The concept of the Devil, the personification of a supreme spirit of evil, is a creation of Jewish and Christian theology. As such, it post dates Pagan religion.

Historically, the Gods of an older religion are always branded as the devils of a newer one. This process occurred in Europe with especial vigour from the tenth century onwards. When Christians started to persecute the followers of Horned Gods such as Faunus, Pan and Cernunnos, Satan began to be depicted with horns and hooves.

Satanism is a Judaeo-Christian heresy, the profaning of one of these religions rather than an independent religion, Pagan or otherwise. Wicca or the Craft is derived not from Christianity but from the Pagan religions of Europe. It has nothing to do with Christianity, its Gods or demons. Witches do not believe in the Christian Devil, and certainly do not offer homage to it.

Inevitably, the campaign against 'devil worship' has encouraged that very practice People concluded Satan must be worth worshipping, if the penalties were so severe But, to worship Satan, one must first believe in his existence - and Witches don't."

 Q. "Do Witches take part in Satanism or Black Magic?"

"No. Satan is a Christian concept and no part of Witchcraft. As for black magic Witches believe that evil rebounds threefold upon the evil doer. There is no incentive to perform evil."

 Definitions

Coven: A group of Witches, traditionally limited to thirteen members or less, who meet together on a regular basis to celebrate the festivals and to work magic.

The Craft: Another name for Witchcraft.

Earth Religion: A religion which stresses the co-inherence of spirit and matter, which seeks personal spiritual experience as a fulfilment of the material world, and enjoins its followers to live in harmony with the Earth and all living things.

Esbat: A minor coven meeting, usually held at the Full and/or New Moon. (From French s'esbattre - to frolic.)

Magic: The art of bringing about change in the material world, or within the consciousness of the practitioner, through the use of will and subtle mental energies, aligned with he Divine forces of the universe.

Mystery: An ineffable truth or experience available only to subjective processes. Usually brings with it a sense of awe, spiritual love and completion.

Mystery Religion: A religion of personal experience, usually entered only by initiation, which aims at direct contact with deity, rather than at the harmony, accordance with or obedience to deity enjoined by the exoteric, public religion which contains it. Others examples: Sufusm in Islam, Tantra in Hinduism and Buddhism, the Chassidim in Judaism.

Occult: From the Latin, 'hidden or secret': the study of hidden or secret knowledge. Generally used for magical societies, but occult societies include American college fraternities, the Freemasons, the Rosicrucians and indeed every 'closed' psychotherapy group.

Pagan: Originally fi-om the Latin 'paganus', meaning a country dweller; later a term of mild abuse used by urban Christians for provincials who still worshipped the old Classical pantheon. Now used for a follower of an Earth religion. Neo-Paganism: A group of modern Earth religions. Practices are derived from pre-Christian Paganism, often with input from their own contemporary theologians.

Sabbat: One of the eight major seasonal festivals which occur at approximately equal intervals throughout the year, timed by the solstices and equinoxes, observed by all Pagans and Witches. 

Wicca: A widely accepted name in many Craft traditions for the religion of Witchcraft. The term is Old English in origin, but the exact derivation is obscure. The plural Wiccan has come to be used as a singular noun, plural Wiccans, as an alternative to 'Witch', 'Witches'.

Witchcraft: A magical and mystical religion including diverse traditions derived from many cultural sources. Current traditions include: Gardnerian, Alexandrian, Hereditary, Traditional, Celtic, Dianic and Shamanic.

 Becoming a Witch

Some people come to the Craft from Witch families, having been raised in one of the long-standing family traditions, or from parents who are members of one of the Craft revivals.

Others come to the Craft having had psychic and mystical experiences. They may come from other religious backgrounds, or from no religion at all; but often they will have felt since early childhood that they were Witches.

Others discover the Craft through chance contact with a Witch, from reading a book or article, or from a television programme.

By whatever route people come, they tend to share a common experience of feeling as though they have arrived 'home'. They experience a sense of de ja vu when they read the rituals and learning the Craft is really a re-learning, a remembering of something buried deep within their psyche.

If you are interested in finding out more about the Craft, you are recommended to first read some of the books on the Introductory Reading List and to obtain some Craft magazines. These will give you an idea of whether this is the right path for you.

Many Witches prefer to follow their path alone. They seek to commune with Nature in her woods and fields and to work the ways of the Wise Woman or Cunning Man. While they may seek an individual teacher, they do not feel the need to join a coven. For those drawn to the solitary path, Marian Green's and Rae Beth's books are recommended.

If you decide to join a coven, this may require persistence. Witchcraft is not a missionary religion and does not proselytize. It is more difficult to find Wiccan or Craft groups than to contact most religions and, at present in Europe, Witches have no public temples. However, Witches believe that anyone who sincerely seeks contact with the Craft will be drawn to the right source.

The Way of the Wise is a hard one. Despite what you may have read elsewhere, Witchcraft does not provide a means to gain magical power over others, a cloak for sex-orgies, or a carte blanche for an amoral way of life. Witches face considerable ignorant prejudice, while the requirement to 'harm none' is a demanding one. Thus, no bona fide coven will consider admitting anyone until it is absolutely satisfied that the individual is right for the Craft and the Craft is right for the individual.

Also covens will not initiate anyone under eighteen; unless perhaps they are part of a family tradition. For those who become interested in Witchcraft in their teens, there may be a long wait before they can pursue their chosen spiritual path.

There are reputable organizations which run conferences, study groups and can provide contacts with covens and groups. Some Witches organize discussion groups or teach classes, at which people may form their own opinions about whether The Craft is for them. There are also periodicals and networks through which a seeker can make contact with the larger Craft community.

The method of entering a coven will depend on the tradition. In many traditions, entry is through an initiation ceremony. Sometimes this can happen relatively quickly, but traditionally at least a year and a day must expire before a new Witch is admitted and a longer training period may be required.

Joining a coven is about finding a group of people with whom you feel compatible. The Wiccan Ethic is 'An it harm none'; but as in all religions, unscrupulous people may masquerade as spiritual teachers in order to exploit others.

Use your common sense when choosing a coven, just as you would when choosing any group of people with whom to work and be friends; especially if you are young and inexperienced in the ways of the world. It is better to be a solo Witch than to try and join a group where you do not trust or feel in harmony with its members

The Essence of the Craft

Witchcraft has no 'creed' or statement of faith to which we must adhere; nor can Wicca be understood by the intellect alone. Books can provide insights into the Craft, but the true essence our religion can be appreciated only by participating in the simple beauty of the rites. One of the most poetic parts of Wiccan ritual is that of the Great Mother Charge. This tells us much more than any book about the way of the worship of the Goddess. 

From The Great Mother Charge

 "Listen to the words of the Great Mother, who was of old also called amongst men Artemis, Astarte, Dione, Melusine, Aphrodite, Cerridwen, Diana, Arianrhod, Bride, and ¼' many other names.

 "I am the gracious Goddess who gives the gift of joy unto the heart of man; upon Earth I give the knowledge of the Spirit Eternal; and beyond death I give peace and freedom and reunion with those who have gone before;

nor do I demand sacrifice, for behold, I am the Mother of all living, and my love is poured out upon the Earth."

 "Hear ye the words of the Star Goddess, She in the dust of whose feet are the hosts of Heaven; whose body encirclith the universe. "

"I who am the beauty of the green Earth and the white Moon amongst the stars, and the mystery of the waters, and the desire of the heart of man, call unto thy soul, arise and come unto me.

For I am the Soul of Nature who giveth life to the universe; from me all things proceed, and unto me all things must return; and before my face, beloved of Gods and men, thine inmost divine self shall be enfolded in the rapture of the infinite. Let my worship be within the heart that rejoiceth; for behold all acts of love and pleasure are my rituals, and therefore let there be beauty and strength, power and compassion, honour and humility, mirth and reverence, within you.

And thou who thinkest to seek for me, know 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 thee.

For behold, I have been with thee from the beginning and I am that which is attained at the end of desire."

Local Groups:

Camelot Boom (Maya's group) - Pagan study group, Wicca training, workshops, open festivals, walks. Based in Boom, between Antwerp & Brussels. http://users.skynet.be/camelotboom/camelotstart.html

Arcadia - Eclectic Wicca, open rituals, workshops, weekends, events, training. Based in Lier (Antwerp). FFI http://www.vzw-arcadia.org & arcadia@pandora.be

Silver Circle Wicca : http://www.silvercircle.org

Recommended Books on Wicca / Witchcraft: