What My Neighbor Believes: Wicca (Part Two)

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By Lady Rose, Guest Blogger On the Horizon

Meet Your Friendly Neighborhood Witch

Basic Wiccan Facts, Beliefs and Traditions

• There are many different traditions of Wicca, so there is no one way or “right” way to be a witch.
• “Harm none” is the guiding rule for all who follow the path of Wicca.
• Wiccans strive to live in harmony with nature and others.
• The Divine (Great Spirit) is viewed as being both male and female, or the God and the Goddess; however, in some traditions, there is more emphasis on the feminine.
• What is referred to as “magic” is actually focused thought, will and emotions, often using symbols and various tools or items as focal points and\or to enhance the focused intentions.
• The Earth (the Mother of all Life) and all the creatures of the Earth are honored and held sacred.
• The soul continues to exist beyond the veil of death, and lives in an afterlife (Summerland) until it is time to be reborn.
• The 8 seasonal changes of year are celebrated at the solstices and equinoxes.
• The phases of the moon mark the times to gather to honor the Goddess and God.
• Witches respect all positive, life-affirming spiritual traditions and religions.

What Witches Are Not

• Witches do not worship the devil. The devil is a Christian concept and has nothing to do with Wicca (historically or today).
• Witches are not evil. They adhere to the basic principle of “harm none,” as well as the belief that all you do comes back to you threefold.
• Witches do not recruit or brainwash any one. Being a witch is a personal choice that has to come from heart and spirit, and is not something that is drummed into anyone. Witches have no desire to “convert” anyone.

Why I Am A Witch

Wicca is the spiritual tradition that resonates with my soul and with which I feel most comfortable. I enjoy the rituals and ceremonies, and my soul is uplifted by the connection with the Divine in Nature. For me, being a witch is also about honoring the Divine God and Goddess within each person and within myself. It is about healing the planet, connecting with the Web of Life, and helping to bring balance, harmony, and peace to my life and those around me.

So the next you see someone dressed in a cape, pointed hat, and carrying a broom, you will know they are just dressed up as a fictionalized version of a witch for Halloween or a Harry Potter costume party because if they were a real witch they would be flying on the broom. (Kidding!).

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about Wicca and real witches, who are just ordinary people who dance to the beat of a slightly different drummer, celebrate the holidays a little differently, and occasionally might hug a tree or two.

Bright Blessings,

Lady Rose
The Diet Pulpit
2 Witches Blog

Invitation to Serve as a Guest Blogger

I invite you to contribute to an ongoing discussion On the Horizon about the various belief systems and, more particularly, what the many different churches believe and teach. The invitation also extends to those who, like me, are spiritually walking beyond the walls of organized religion and persons of all different faiths, not just Christians, in order to further our knowledge and tolerance of each other’s understanding of and approach to spirituality and belief.

Send your contribution to admin at hopefulspirit dot com!