What Is Witchcraft?

Religion - from the Latin religio - (reverence for the gods) A system of religious belief, often involving a code of ethics and philosophy. Any system of beliefs, practices, and ethical values.

Witchcraft There is no universal meaning for what Witchcraft is. It means different things in different cultures. But here I will try to give as detailed a description as possible, with providing as many views as possible.   Witchcraft is a way of life, a practice, a belief system and a religion. Witchcraft defines the basic beliefs or sets the foundation of belief for the religion. The traditions put those beliefs into practice, often further detailing and refining them.   "The Craft" is a much older way to describe what is commonly known as Witchcraft. Some refer to the belief system by their tradition name. We will discuss this further below.   There is no Bible or sacred text defining all of Witchcraft, in all its many sects or traditions. However each practioner and/or coven has their own Book of Shadows (BoS). The BoS contains rituals, invocations and charms, experiences and journal entries from the coven or practioner's many years of practice. They contain information and teachings learned from experience and from each other. Practioners often copy from each others books, and more often students from their teachers, that which appeals to them. Often a teacher will define exactly which entries a student must copy into their own BoS before as a part of their initiation process. So functionally, no two BoSes are ever exactly a the same. Ideally a BoS should contain only methods that have proven successful and have been consistent in their workings or hold up to scrutiny. Failed ideas are excluded. Along with the BoS, many covens see other essential texts are two Grimoire: The Greater Key of Solomon the King which dates from medieval times and The Book of the Sacred Magic of Abra-Melin the Mage which was published in the late 1900s.   Witchcraft is a recognized religion by the United States government. In 1985/86 the U.S. Army included a section in the Army Chaplin's Handbook on Wicca. If you examine the entry, you will notice that the religion is known by other names: Witchcraft. What do you expect from the federal government to get this exactly right?

Traditions/Sects Witchcraft comes in many forms or sects. We call these sects Traditions. Many are based not on book or historical record, but oral tradition. Perhaps that's where the label 'tradition' comes from. There are many Traditions within the category of the religion. One of the more commonly known today is Wicca.   Think of it this way: The tradition is to Witchcraft what a Baptist sect is to Christianity. That is to say: Wicca is to Witchcraft what Baptist is to Christianity.   There are many different types of sects. Just as in the familiar Christian faith, you'll find Catholics, Baptists, Methodist and so on, there are variations in tradition and practice within Witchcraft.   Each of these sects can be associated with one of these three major traditional groups of the Witchcraft. Classical Witchcraft ~ Early Nordic which included the Germanic languages, Dutch, Icelandic, Danish, Norwegian and Swedish peoples. Gothic Witchcraft ~ Celtic Anglo-Saxon which includes Druid, Irish, Scottish, and English, as well as, many of the French, and Italian cultures. Neo-Pagan Witchcraft ~ Modern NewAge American which has primarily been influenced by the melding of all previous sects through immigration and the country's natural evolution.   These different sects are all based on the ancient craft traditions, but were influenced by regional customs and existing spiritual beliefs. These traditions are the result of a successful melding of these ancient Pagan traditions and current civilizations. The following is a small sampling of many different traditions.

The Craft Sects Classical Craft     Ceremonial Encompass many traditional rituals with a basis of Egyptian magik and often follow the ceremonies outlined in the ancient Cabalistic writings.     Strega A tradition begun around Italy around 1353 with a woman called Aradia.     Teutonic The Teutons have been recognized as one of the earliest and formal practioners of the craft. Their ways of practicing the Craft are also known as Nordic.   Gothic Craft     Caledoni Of Scottish traditions, this sect is also known as Hecatine. It continues to encompass many of the festivals and celebrations of the Scots.     Celtic A mix of Celtic/Druidic pantheon energy. This sect focuses heavily on the elements, nature and the Ancient Ones. With a great knowledge of healing and the magikal qualities of nature, including plants, animals and stones, this tradition is most commonly linked to in the Neo-Pagan sects. Aided by the little people, gnomes and fairies, Celtic magik is full of fun, mirth and mythology.     Deborean A combination of Celtic and Native American traditions, focused primarily on Celtic origins. Formed in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, the Carolinas and southwestern Virginia.     Deborean Wicca An American eclectic tradition which attempts to reconstruct Wicca as it was before 'The Burning Times' or the European witch craze.     Farrar A very famous husband and wife team from England, Janet and Stewart Farrar compiled and researched many of the ancient and modern sects to pull the best parts of all into one. Many of today's modern sects are in one way or another based on these studies and compiled materials.     Hereditary Based on family traditions passed on generation to generation, (does not included Channeling). Also called "Family Trades", it is up for debate how far back on the family tree one must go to meet the conditions of this sect. The traditions can be passed on to blood relatives or adopted offspring which have been raised within the family ceremonies and rituals. The beliefs are typically Celtic in nature, but include a smattering of many of the current and ancient structures, as well as, many home spun ones.     Pictish Also of Scottish tradition, this sect focuses heavily on all aspects of nature. It is a solitary form of Craft.   Neo-Pagan Craft     Alexandrian Founded in the 1960s by Alex Sanders in England, this sect is loosely based on the Gardenarian beliefs. Sanders built his sect in England and called himself "King" of the Coven.     British Traditional A mix of Celtic and Gardenarian rituals it is the most famous organization in the International Red Garters society. This sect is based on the Farrar studies of Wicca and is exceptionally structured in belief and ritual. A witch becomes part of the Coven through a training, education and degree process.     Dianic Also called "the Feminist" movement of the craft, this sect focuses on the Goddess aspect of Wicca. It was first brought to major attention in 1921 by Margaret Murray and includes aspects of many Classical and Gothic traditions.     Eclectic This is a label for the "everything else" in Wicca. It does not follow any particular tradition, ritual or ceremonial practices. Rather practioners focus on what "feels" best and most comfortable to them. Study and practice is than based on information gathered from books, or other practicing witches.     Gardnerian Wicca Named after it's founder Gerald Gardner in England during the 1950s. Gardner wanted to ensure that the Old Religion not become extinct by all the new found knowledge and inter-mixing of beliefs. He took his cause to the media at great personal risk to bring his cause and information to a new younger audience in order to bring growth and life to the ancient traditions.     Seax-Wicca Based on the Saxon beliefs, this sect is very closely related to the Gardnerian traditions. Without breaking his oath, founder Raymond Buckland wanted to pull the ancient rituals into modern language and acceptable ceremonies. In 1973 his dream became a reality with the organization of Seax-Wicca, bringing Wicca into the public as a very positive force.

Beliefs Practitioners of Witchcraft believe in a balanced polarity, especially that of the feminine and masculine energy of the Divine universe. These two aspects of nature are embodied in two deities, known as the Goddess and God . Traditionally most Pagan gods are considered to represent the different aspects of the God/Goddess.   Most traditions honor the God/Goddess as equals where one deserves more or less importance over the other. This translates into a balance between the feminine and masculine forces within the divine. Which God/Goddess a tradition honors depends on their cultural heritage. Celts honor Celtic Gods, Egyptian traditions honor Egyptian Gods and so on. A few branches, such as Dianic, view the feminine aspect with more importance.   There are many neopagans who are monotheists (there is only 1 god), polytheists (there are many gods) or duotheists (1 female and 1 male god). Many regard the gods as real, not simply as aspects of a male or female deity. Where other Traditions see them as pantheons, just aspects of the Divine force in the universe.   The Goddess is the existing force of all creation as in the Earth, nature and life itself. The Goddess has three faces: the Maiden, the Mother and the Crone. These faces correspond to the many different cycles in nature: the waxing, full and waning phases of the moon; the menstrual cycle and the cycle of life in birth, life and death.   The God is less commonly defined across Traditions. He can be a single view, such as Odin in Norse practices, The Horned God Cernunnos in Celtic traditions, Ra in Egyptian traditions. In many sects, the God comes in two forms, the young God who starts the year and works through the Sun till Yule when he has aged and grown old. At this time he faces the young God who will begin the new year cycle.   Practioners hold a belief in Reincarnation and do not believe in heaven or hell since death is considered to be another form of existence. Some practioners believe that a soul is continually reborn whereas others believe that once a soul learns all the life lessons, it is granted eternal rest in a place called the Summerlands, which is also known as Valhalla for the Norse and so on throughout each cultural Tradition.   Karma is the result of an action brought through life time to lifetime. It is the ultimate divine law that governs the use of magik and behavior since it deals with the divine cosmic justice. In other words a person is reborn in a position that befits their deeds from the previous life. In addition, the deeds created in this incarnation create the life experiences upon ones path through this life.

Practices Practioners gather in groups called Covens or Clans. Each group may have it's own unique practices or rituals. Covens range in number of members, but traditionally have a maximum of thirteen which is the number of transition. When the number of members in a coven exceeds thirteen, the common belief is that the coven should split, to continue the self-perpetuation process. Practioners do not have specific structures of worship, though some find the means and finances for constructing indoor altars, some call them temples, while others practice their rituals at outdoor altars. In reality, any place in contact with the Earth will suffice. Rituals are practiced in Circles representing the cycle of life, energy and the ever ending cycle of divine energy. The area is purified by the four elements and then the Circle is cast , usually by the Priest or Priestess walking clockwise along its perimeter and drawing an actual circle. Sometimes with a wand or athame which are two common tools, a rope made of natural fibers, a vine or drawing in the dirt. After this, many Covens call forth the four cardinal directions and are greeted and invoked, according to the tradition and preference of the practitioners.   Other neopagans practice entirely without formal circle-casting. Some Celtic reconstructionists worship in a Nemeton, as they believe the ancients did, within a ritual framework based on elements earth, wind, fire, water. Others have adapted Native American practices and invoke the directions, including Above and Below. And some, meld all these aspects together and work with the directions and the elements.   Practioners conduct sacred rites within the Circle, invoking the names of the Goddess and God along with the essences of nature. Once the Circle has been cast, the space within represents an altered consciousness that is "between worlds." The Circle also serves to contain energy that is built up during the rites until it is ready to be released in what is known as the Cone of Power. When the Cone of Power is released, the energy goes into the purposes that the practitioners have set forth in their ritual.   Rituals often also include an honoring of the God/Goddess with wine and cakes. A goblet of wine is raised and an Athame is dipped into it to represent the union between the Goddess (the goblet) and the God (the athame). The cup is then passed around the Circle to be drunk by the practitioners. The ceremonial cakes are then passed around as well, to complete the socializing and fellowship that is present in the circle. Sometimes rituals are also conducted skyclad (naked) or in special costumes, depending on the tradition. The purpose of both these practices is to increase the unity with nature.   Practioners have a set of tools commonly used for casting circles and during rituals. The broom, serves the purpose of purifying a space before casting a circle. An altar where the rite is focused. The wand and athame which are masculine tools. The cup and broom which are feminine tools.   These objects also represent the elements, fire, earth, water and air. In some traditions, the wand is the symbol for air and the athame a symbol for fire. The practioner (if a solitary) or the priest/priestess stands in the center of the circle to represent the 5th element, the divine spirit. This combination of elements and nature perfectly complement the image of the Goddess and God during the ritual.   Some Wiccans have alternate associations with elements and directions, especially those based on Norse or Welsh covens. The Athame in some groups is a white-handled knife used in ritual, the black handled athame might be used outside the circle for magically related work such as gathering herbs or cutting candle wicks. Another tool used for these purposes is the boline, a crescent shaped knife.   There are three types of gatherings: Sabbats, Esbats and special purposes. In a special purpose gatherings, a coven meets to deal with a common goal or issue that needs immediate attention, such as casting a health spell to aid a sickly friend. Most magikal rites are performed at Esbats, which are small gatherings that correspond to the phases of the moon.   Sabbats or Holiday festivals also take place during the year. These holidays are divided into the sections of the seasonal year, spring, summer, fall and winter. They are also divided into Quarters and Cross-quarter ceremonies. Spring Imbolg Ostara Bealtaine Summer Midsummer Fall Lughnasadh Mabon Samhain Winter Yule  Quarter ceremonies, these are also called the Fire Festivals. Yule Ostara Midsummer - Summer Solstice Mabon Cross Quarter ceremonies. Imbolg Bealtaine Lughnasadh Samhain   While many traditions use Initiations to acknowledge the progress of a practioner through knowledge and learning, not all traditions follow this concept. Initiates are considered to be priests/priestess after a full cycle of learning is acquired. Often, a Priest/Priestess takes on the role similar to other clergy, performing blessings, weddings, eulogies and so on. Many practioners are fighting to gain state recognition for their status as clergy within the pagan community.

What Witchcraft and A Tradition Are Not! Kitchen Witch This label pops up every now and then. More closely related to the Hereditary sect, these witches are practicing healing and ceremonies based on family tradition. "Old wives tales", Grandma's healing concoctions and special family traditions all make up this sect of the craft.. However, since these beliefs are often handed down from generation to generation, the label Heredity is more appropriate. But there is a nice warm feeling about calling your grandma a "kitchen witch" and refering to her old remedies that helped you feel better when you got a bad cold.   Pow-Wow A mis-labeled sect, based in South Central Pennsylvania. It is based on a 400 year old German magik system and has deteriorated into a a simple faith healing. The mis-use of the term maybe offensive to the original practioners of a true Pow-Wow, the Native American nations. It is advised that this term remain connected to the originators and not to this adopted society. Even at 400 years old, the Pennsylvania/German system is new in comparison to the Native American beliefs. See "Similarities in Beliefs" for a further discussion of this topic.   Devil Worship An important NOT! Craft practioners do not worship "the devil", because pagan Witches do not belief in the devil. The misconception was mainly created by the Christian Church as a means to destroy Craft beliefs which were often perceived to be at odds with what the "Church" wanted spread across the world. Many detractors of the Christian faith often site this type of propaganda as an example of the "Churchs'" attempt to gain control over the people.   Satanic An other important NOT! Craft practioners are not Satanists. Satanism is also a pre-christian pagan religion, however there are significant differences between these two faiths. Many people often confuse Satan with the Christian devil. Again, this is due to Christian propaganda. Satan is the translated name of the Egyptian God Set, who was the deity of ego and confidence. These traits when taken to extremes are similar to Lucifer and thus the association stuck. Satanists however, do not believe in the existence of the devil, and do not worship that being. They see themselves as the God force and practice a faith of eye for an eye. If you'd like to learn more, I strongly suggest you visit the University Of Virginia's Religious Freedoms site and review their study on Satanism.

Source: 1, c3, c4, c8, c13, s1, s2, s4, s5, s6, s7, s11, s14, m1, m4, m5, m7, m10, m16, m18, m23, m36