~ Frequently Asked Questions About Wicca/Witchcraft ~
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This list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
is designed as an introduction to traditional Witchcraft, as well
as a reference for those investigating the religion of Witchcraft
for the first time. This FAQ is about Witchcraft and not Wicca.
Witchcraft and Wicca are two seperate religions. The views expressed
here are reflective of more traditional forms of Witchcraft. If
you have any questions or comments about the content of this FAQ,
please e-mail the maintainer, Shadow Drake.
The House Shadow Drake Traditional Witchcraft FAQ was first composed
in December of 1996 by Kytheriea of House Shadow Drake. It was
uploaded to the InterNet on January 2, 1997. This FAQ was last
updated on December 4, 1997 by Kytheriea. Copyright
and distribution notice.
Questions
Introduction
Basic Beliefs
Religious Practices
Resources
Introduction
1.1) What
is Witchcraft?
Witchcraft is the continuation of
the practice of the native religions and cultural beliefs of Europe
after the advent of Christianity. Witchcraft is the name that
was given to these practices by the Christian Church. Before that,
the people who followed a religion were just believers. There
were special roles that equated to what we would now call a priesthood.
These positions often involved law enforcement, settling of domestic
disputes, counseling, omen consultation, blessings, administration
of medication, keeping the calender, and such. There are names
for those who took these positions, but the name changes with
the area.
People continued, even under persecution,
to worship their Gods. These religions often dominated in the
more remote areas, and tended to localize themselves to specific
regional areas, or were kept within the members of a family. In
these families, the traditions of the religion were passed down
from generation to generation. Many were forced to masquerade
under the cover of Catholism, even though they were not truly
Catholic.
Ireland, however, was never touched
by the Inquisition, and for the most part was free from witch-hunters
in general. This allowed many practicioners of Witchcraft to continue
their worship fairly unhindered.
Some people who follow these native
religions of Europe do not refer to themselves as Witches. The
term "Witch" is something that was placed upon these
beliefs. However, using the term "Witchcraft" is an
easy way to collectively identify these religious beliefs and
those who follow them.
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1.2) How
is Witchcraft related to Paganism?
The term Paganism is used in contemporary
times to refer to nature oriented religions which recognize the
male and female duality which is found within nature. Paganism
is an umbrella concept which encompasses many religions from some
sects of Buddhism, to Neo-Druidism, to Wicca, and even to some
forms of Christianity. Witchcraft is one of the many religions
which fits under the umbrella of Paganism.
Some of the older Europeans which
are considered to be "Pagan" do not refer to themselves
as such. The reason for this is because the term Pagan refers
to an unenlightened one. Instead, they will often refer themselves
Heathens.
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1.3) Is
Witchcraft the same thing as Wicca?
No. Wicca and Witchcraft are two seperate
religions. Wicca was founded by Gerald Gardner in the late 1930's.
It is comprised of Western European folk traditions, Eastern philosophy,
and Cabbalistic mysticism. Although initially Wicca was based
more in magickal pursuits, it has hence forth developed into a
more spiritual religion. Today, Wicca can be seen as an ecclectic
system of beliefs with an underlying static ritual and ethics
base. Although some traditions in Wicca may cater to a specific
culture, the rituals and ethics will still have this commmonality
which identifies it as being Wiccan.
Witchcraft is heavily based in traditions.
There is no Wiccan Rede, Watchtowers, or the concept of self-initiation.
There is, however, some form of initiation or rite of passage,
and a strong concept of the Homeland.
Many Wiccans incorrectly refer to
themselves as Witches. However, someone who practices Witchcraft
will either refer to themselves as being a Witch, or will use
another manner of description altogether. What they will not say,
however, is that they are Wiccan.
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1.4) Do
all Witches practice magick?
No. Magick is a tool. As a tool, it
can be used within any religion. Some people who follow the religion
of Witchcraft do not practice magick, just as some people who
follow the religion of Buddhism do not practice magick.
It would be inaccurate to say that
magick has nothing to do with Witchcraft. However, there are those
who choose not to practice magick. Foremost, Witchcraft is a religion.
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1.5) Is
Witchcraft a form of Satanism?
No. Satanism is a product of Christianity.
Witchcraft has nothing to do with either the philosophy or anti-Christian
religion of Satanism.
During the medieval period, the Christian
Church made many attempts to phase out Witchcraft, and thus promoted
the idea of the Devil as having horns. Being as any deity which
existed outside of the realms of Christianity was seen as being
of the Devil, it is an easy assumption that the Horned God was
the Devil himself. However, the Horned God has nothing at all
to do with the Devil.
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1.6) Are
male Witches called warlocks?
In an attempt to ostracize those who
followed the old religions from the realms of popular society,
the Church categorized Witches as warlocks. The word "warlock"
translates as the Scottish Gaelic term for a liar, oathbreaker,
back-stabber, or someone generally not to be trusted.
Many people use this as a term for
a male Witch in contemporary society, but any Witch referred to
as such will be greatly insulted by the term. Those who use the
term "warlock" should not be trusted for information
because they are either ignorant of the term and are most likely
not knowledgeable about the Craft anyways, or they are most likely
teenagers involved with pseudo-satanism who think that name sounds
cool.
If someone betrayed a coven, the members
might mark them as a warlock by taking a blade and slashing them
across the forehead so that everyone who met the person would
recognize them as such and would know not to trust that person.
Interestingly enough, this same technique of marking was used
by the Church to designate someone who was a Witch and was done
to render their magick impotent.
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1.7) Can
I be born a Witch?
No. To become a Witch, one must become
a practicioner of the religion. Different traditions have different
methodology for becoming a part of their tradition. For most,
this involves some form of self-dedication to the Gods. Even for
those born into a Famtrad, a conscious decision to follow the
Old Ways must be made.
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Basic Beliefs
2.1) What
are some common, basic beliefs in Witchcraft?
Witchcraft is comprised of many individual
traditions that may differ greatly from one another at times.
However, there are some key elements which most traditions follow.
One, is the keeping of secrets or mysteries. There are some things
which have not been written in a book and never will be. There
is usually some form of initiation or rite of passage, although
it may or may not be referred to as such. For some who are a part
of Famtrads, this is followed through certain rites which occur
when an individual reaches specific times within their life cycle.
For others, the rite of passage may be done after an individual
has completed a a time of study along with specified tasks.
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2.2) What
Gods do Witches worship?
The God and Goddess are seen as the
male and female aspects of Nature. They do not reign over the
Universe, they instead are the Universe itself. Most of the early
inhabitants of Europe followed one God and one Goddess, even though
there might be many more deities in their particular pantheon.
Often times the particular pair of deities someone followed would
reflect some important aspect of their life such as their occupation,
location, or path in life. The God is usually represented a protector
or hunter, and the Goddess is often related to fertility or the
land.
The Gods are not ominpotent. They
have egos and what we would consider to be human characteristics.
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2.3) Who
are the Ancestors?
Witches also look to the Ancestors,
or those who have gone before. The Ancestors have different names
in different cultures, but the concept is the same. Witches often
consult the Ancestors for advice and help. Sometimes the Ancestors
can also be called on as guardians as well as advisors. We sometimes
even offer them gifts and leave food out for them. The Ancestors,
however, are not Gods but rather respected or honored ones.
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2.4) What
is the Other World?
The Other World is a term used to
refer to the realm where the Ancestors dwell. Most traditions
within Witchcraft recogize the Other World, although the name
used to identify it might be different. The realm of the Other
World is often seen as being the place that lies beyond our senses,
and just beyond the boundary of our dreams. In some cultures,
it is seen as being the realm of the dead. There are places which
are commonly recognized as being sacred loci where the two worlds
might converge upon one another; these are trees, hills, lakes,
rivers, caverns, wells, and even areas covered in thick mists.
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2.5) What
is a tradition in relation to Witchcraft?
A tradition is the system or variety
of Witchcraft that someone follows. Sometimes a tradition will
have a specific name, which usually is in the language of the
relevant culture. More commonly, however, the name of the tradition
is simply that of the culture from which that system of beliefs
stems from.
A Famtrad is a family tradition. This
term is used to refer to those whose tradition is followed within
their family. Those who are family tradition have often grown
up with Witchcraft as part of their everyday lives. However, this
is not always the case as some families permit Seekers to come
and learn their Ways.
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2.6) What
is a path in relation to Witchcraft?
A path is used to refer to the specific
life goals that someone has within their tradition. A path can
usually be defined by taking into account a person's interests,
career choice, motivations, and goals in life. The Gods which
a person chooses to follow are determined by their path in life.
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2.7) What
is the Homeland?
It was believed by the early inhabitants
of Europe that the Gods they worshipped inhabited the land itself.
Many were migratory people, and so as they travelled across the
continent they took their Gods with them. As they travelled, though,
these people often looked toward the North Star, Polaris, for
guidance. It was a fixed point in the night sky that they used
as a reference point.
When these early Europeans wished
to honor their Gods, they created a connection between their homeland,
where their Gods resided, and the land where they stood. In this
way, the new land became a part of the homeland. The elemental
correspondences to the cardinal directions act as a way of aligning
yourself with the homeland.
Go Back To The Question List
2.8) What
is the elemental correspondence to the cardinal directions, and
why is it used?
These correspondences help to align
the Witch to the homeland. Most early Europeans were migratory
peoples and used the star Polaris as a reference point in the
night skies. The exact set of correspondences differed from area
to area, as each region differed in its geography, climate, and
cultural beliefs.
Not all Witches use a elemental correspondence
to the cardinal directions. Some worship their Gods at specific
locations, and others have a different set of elements and relationships
to those elements. An example would be those people of certain
Celtic traditions who instead use Earth, Sky, and Water, and preferably
worship on a cliffside near the ocean where the three worlds of
these elements meet together as one. However, this is not as strange
as it may seem, as the correspondences change when one is actually
within the Homeland. When within the Homeland itself, the land
is already around you.
Go Back To The Question List
2.9) What
ritual tools do Witches use?
There are a wide variety of tools
which Witches use. Each tradition, though, uses a different set
of tools. Perhaps the ritual tool used the most is the ritual blade.
Some traditions use common items used in everyday life, where
as other traditions demand that the tools be hand-crafted by the
person for the specific use in ritual.
Some of the other more popular tools
used are the stang or staff, the cup or horn, the cauldron, the wand, the cord, the bell, the besom, the llech, and the sword or spear.
The stang has two forms: the horned
staff, and the scarecrow. The stang in it's form as a staff looks
just like a staff that may or may not be topped with animal horns.
The stang in it's form as a scare crow is a wooden cross with
the skull at the top of some horned animal (ie cow, deer), wearing
a white linen shirt. It's function is most often that of a boundary
marker, and as a tool for connecting to the Homeland. It connects
the two worlds together, and allows one to transverse them.
The cord in most traditions denotes
those who have reached, for lack of a better term, the priesthood
within Witchcraft. It is used for a wide variety of things such
as handfastings. Sometimes there are even dances which are done
with the cords linked together.
The llech or stone has several different
forms and uses. Often it is used as a foundation, and is used
to stand on, or is used as an altar stone. It can also take the
form of a hagstone or godstone.
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2.10)When
are the Festivals celebrated??
Different traditions observe different
Festivals. Some of the most common occur on the solistices and
the equinoxes, and the times between them. Other observances take
place on the new and full moons. Sometimes the major Festivals
in some traditions are set to correspond to the new or full moon,
and in other traditions they occur on specific days which are
usually measured as being halfway between the equinox and the
solstice. In still other traditions, the way in which the actual
day by which a Festival takes place is particular to tht tradition
and they have their own method of calculating it.
The number of observances in a year
varies according to the particular tradition. Regardless, the
Festivals are set according to the seasons and act somewhat as
markers. The year usually begins in early to mid November, although
in some traditions the new year will start in mid to late March.
Rituals were determined by the position
of the sun and moon and the agricultural year which is best displayed
by the times when one should plant or harvest their crops, breed
animals, or kill livestock. These times defined when the Gods
should be worshipped. Because Witchcraft differs between traditions,
the exact Festival days also differs. These Festival days are
usually celebrated on the evening preceding the actually day,
as the night was seen to belong to the next day. The length of
a day is measured from sunset to sunset.
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2.11)
What is the ethical standard for Witchcraft?
Witchcraft teaches that you should
follow your heart and take responsibility for your actions. There
is no good or evil. There is only the intent that one has when
commiting an action. For example, a tornado, which causes a lot
of destruction, is not good or evil..... It just is.
Emphasis is thus placed on the intent
of the action. This concept can be seen within a quote from a
magical tradition that says, "The whole of the action is
the sum of its consequence." Energy is not constant. In terms
of returned energy, this means that the energy can have many things
happen to it along the way including: deflection, absorbtion,
transformation, etc.
We do not follow a Rede, or any Law
except that which is written within our own hearts. We take responsibility
for our actions.
Things are brought into the perspective
of survival and intent of the individual. Many Witches look at
this in terms of protection of house or clan, family, and self.
So, many will take action to curse or hex if wrongfully provoked.
Go Back To The Question List
Beliefs and Practices
3.1) How
do I become a Witch?
Probably the easiest place to start
would be by going to the nearest library. You should probably
begin by reading the legends and folklore concerning the culture
you are interested in. This will only provide an understanding
of the beliefs within Witchcraft, though. The real question is
something you must ask yourself, "What are my beliefs?"
Your personal beliefs must correspond to those within the Craft.
If they do not, then the best you can ever do in Witchcraft is
to emulate the religion without ever really understanding and
practicing it. It must be something that is already within your
heart.
Most people who come to learn the
traditions of Witchcraft already have some basis in the religion.
Witchcraft is more than holding rituals and worshipping the Gods,
it is a way of life. It is an understanding of seasons and an
appreciation of life. It is learning to take responsibilty for
yourself and what you do.
After you have a basis in the beliefs,
the next step would be to dedicate yourself to the Gods. From
that point, you have decided to follow the religion of Witchcraft,
and are a believer in the Ways. You may or may not decide to seek
out someone to instruct you in the traditions, and pass the lineage
on to you. It, however, is advisable that you do. From there,
you can make a choice to continue your learnings and become what
can be called for lack of a better term, a part of the priesthood.
Go Back To The Question List
3.2) Can
I be a Christian, or a Jew, or a Muslim, or a Buddhist, or other
religous affiliation, and still be a Witch?
No. Witchcraft is a religion all unto
its own. The traditions within the Craft have their own belief
structures.
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3.3) What
is a"dedication" and "rites of passage" in
Witchcraft?
Dedication is when a person decides
to worship the Gods, and learn the ways of Witchcraft. A dedication
ritual is something that is composed by the person themselves
wherein they pledge themselves to the service of the Gods. Just
because someone has gone through a dedication but not through
a rite of passage does not mean that they are not devoted. Devotion
to the Gods is personal, and that is why it is expressed through
a self-dedication.
The Rites of Passage, or Initiation
is a formal ritual wherein a person must has spent a period of
study and has reached a certain point wherein they are given a
set of tasks to complete. Some traditions have different stages,
wherein other have certain points in the life cycle wherein this
ritual takes place. One of the most important parts of the Rites
of Passage or Initiation is when the lineage is passed down. The
lineage is the line of essence which has passed from Witch to
Witch for all the preceding generations. There are also sometimes
Naming Ceremonies. These are sometimes included within the Rites
of Passage or Initiation, although in some traditions they remain
seperate.
Go Back To The Question List
3.4) What
are the major traditions in Witchcraft?
That is very difficult to say. Each
family, village, and area had their own tradition. As time progressed,
and the persecution began to become more severe, the various traditions
began to condense and intermingle with other traditions. Many
traditions merged with other traditions, and although the religion
was preserved, it began to take many different shapes.
Go Back To The Question List
3.5) What
is a grimoire? How do I get one?
A grimoire is a book of rituals and and lore which is usually
handwritten by the individual. The name grimoire is used as a
general term, as the actual name for this book is kept a secret
in most traditions. Even when the name for this book is discussed,
it sometimes varies from between traditions.
In most traditions, the grimoire is
composed by the individual, and the rituals contained therein
are sometimes even written in runes or pictures so as not to be understood by someone
else. The rituals themselves are based in the traditions of the
particular tradition, but also contain individual flourishes as
well. On occasion, the contents of the grimoires may be copied
from a main book.
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3.6) What
is a household and how do I join one?
The difference between coven and household
are enough to warrant a distinguishment. For the Wiccan they might
be considered to be the same. But for the famtrad or traditionalist,
there is a huge difference. A good definition of a household would
be to compare it to the medieval households.
Within a Family there can be multiple
households and within a Household there can be multiple covens.
However, within a Household there are also solitary practicioners.
Not everyone in a household is necessarily of Heathen religious
beliefs, just as everyone within a family is not necessarily of
the same religious beliefs. Within a household there may also
be different branches set up for those which follow a specific
path.
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3.7) Do
you call guardians into a sacred area?
Some traditions do, and some traditions
don't. Guardians are often called to protect the sacred area.
As many traditions do not have specific boundaries for their sacred
area, the guardians can roam the area freely and protect the area
from unwanted influences. In general, they are a good idea.
Guardians are often the spirits with
whom a person feels comfortable with and has developed some form
of a relationship with. Possible guardians might be one of the
Ancestors, a "spirit guide," or other spirtual entity.
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3.8) Do
Witches believe in reincarnation?
No, or at least not in the typical
sense. There are many beliefs regarding death, but usually there
is some concept of the Other World where the soul goes to dwell
for a time before it returns. Instead of being reincarnated, the
person is transformed. Sometimes the transformation is into an
animal form, and other times it is into a human, or even spirit
form.
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3.9) What
is a hedgewitch?
A hedgewitch is a tradition within a tradition that is somewhat
shamanic in nature, for lack of a better term. There are many
different titles that those who follow this inner tradition are
called: Hedge-Rider, Hedgewitch, Night Travellers, Myrk-Riders,
Gandreidh, Badbh (name of a Goddess as well as a title), and Walkers
on the Wind. These are the ones who engage in spirit flight, and
journey into the Other World. It is this inner tradition which
utilizes such things as flying salves and potions in order to
gain access to the Other World. There are certain pre-requisites
which must be met before one can learn this particular tradition,
however.
A hedgewitch is able to go into the
Other World, and call back the souls of those who are about to
die. They can, in this capacity, be very powerful healers. They
are also able to speak with those who have passed beyond. One
of the rituals by which a hedgewitch can cross over into the Otherworld
is called the "Ritual
of the Raven."
A bird of one kind or another is usually
associated with the hedge traditions. Two of the most commonly
associated birds are the raven and the goose.
A mention should be made that the
hedge signified the boundary of the village, and thus the boundary
of the known world. Not all cultures had hedges, though. Some
had stone wall, or earthen works. Regardless, this term is adopted
as a way to commonly identify these traditions.
It should be emphasized that not all
Witches follow this inner tradition.
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Resources
4.1) Introductory
books on Witchcraft
There is a great deal of information
regarding Witchcraft available, but most of it will be disguised
under ethnographic surveys of folklore and the like. The best
way to learn about traditional Witchcraft is to find someone that
you know who practices. You will spend countless hours doing research
in the libraries. Many people can easily emulate what a culture
was like, but it is very difficult to understand and view the
world through the eyes of that culture. For the many Americans
who follow Pagan beliefs, it is difficult for them to understand
what early Europeans did and felt without ever having stepped
foot in Europe themselves. This is why I have set up the following
books as introductory texts to Witchcraft. I feel that they adequately
reflect what Witchcraft is while presenting the cultural background
to help you understand the traditions behind it.
I have taken the time to locate these
books through on-line book ordering services. Many of you have
e-mailed me asking where you can order these books because they
are not available through your local bookstores. The ordering
links take you directly to the page where the books are at on
the various on-line bookstores. Some of these on-line bookstores
are located in the United States, whereas other are located within
the UK. This means that you will have to convert the the book
costs into pounds or dollars, respectively.
Sir James G. Frazier, The Golden Bough, (New York: Macmillan,
1950).
Order
the entire 13 volume set here!
Order
the abridged edition here!
Nigel Aldcroft Jackson, Call of the Horned Piper, (Berks,
UK: Capall Bann Publishing, 1994). ISBN 1-898307-09-1.
Order
it here!
Nigel Aldcroft Jackson, Masks of Misrule, (Berks, UK: Capall
Bann Publishing, 1996). ISBN 1-898307-67-9.
Order
it here!
*NOTE* This book is multi-cultural
and covers the Horned God from European to Middle Eastern to Hindi.
Noragh Jones, Power of Raven, Wisdom of Serpent,
(Edinburgh, UK: Floris Books, 1994.) ISBN 0-86315-186-8.
Order
it here!
*NOTE* Some parts of this book are
heavily interwoven with pieces of medieval Christianity, but I
still feel it represents a great deal of Scottish women's lore.
Prudence Jones and Nigel Pennick, A History of Pagan Europe, (London
and New York: Routledge, 1995.) ISBN 0-415-09136-5.
Order
it here!
McNeill, Marian F., The Silver Bough: Scottish Folklore and
Folk Belief, (Glasgow: Stuart Titles Ltd., 1957) ISBN 0-853-35161-9
Order
it here!
McNeill, Marian F., The Silver Bough: Calendar of Scottish
National Festivals - Candlemas to Harvest Home, (Glasgow:
Stuart Titles Ltd.) ISBN 0-853-35162-7
Order
it here!
McNeill, Marian F., The Silver Bough: Calendar of Scottish
National Festivals - Hallowe'en to Yule, (Glasgow: Stuart
Titles Ltd.) ISBN 0-948-47404-1
Order
it here!
McNeill, Marian F., The Silver Bough: Local Festivals of Scotland,
(Glasgow: Stuart Titles Ltd., 1968) ISBN 0-948-47405-X
Order
it here!
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4.2) Magazines
CRAEFT! is a Family tradition Pagan newsletter that
is published four times yearly at the Terrestrial Tides.
Subscription Information
Send cash, check or MO (no foreign
checks please) to: Black Cherry Typing & Publishing, P.O. Box
52053, Ft. Benning, GA 31905, USA
Subscription Prices
- EUROPE: £8.00 for one year
- USA: $20.00 for one year
- CANADA: $25.00 for one year
- AUSTRALIA: $25.00 for one year
- NEW ZEALAND: $35.00 for one year
WHITE DRAGON is an independent quarterly Pagan magazine covering
Witchcraft, Northern traditions, the occult and earth mysteries
serving the ancient kingdom of Mercia in the English Midlands.
It is published at each of the four fire Festivals. For more information,
see the webpage at http://www.whitedragon.demon.co.uk
Subscription Information
Please state clearly your name and
mailing address, and send all subscriptions to: White Dragon,
103 Abbotswood Close, Winyates Green Redditch, Worcestershire
B98 0QF, England
Subscription Prices
- UK: £6 per year, or £1.75
for a sample copy.
- USA: $20 per year or $5 for a sample
copy.
- CANADA: $26 per year or $6.50 for
a sample copy.
- AUSTRALIA: $26 per year or $6.50
for a sample copy.
- JAPAN: ¥2,200 per year or ¥550
for a sample copy.
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Copyright
and Distribution Notice
This document is copyrighted by (c)
1997 Crystal Miller. The Traditional Witchcraft FAQ may be freely
distributed so long as it is in its entirety, including all credits
and copyright notice. If you have any questions, feel free to
e-mail Kytheriea at Shadow Drake.
