witchcraft - the facts
TRANSCRIPT
-
7/29/2019 Witchcraft - The Facts
1/2
WITCHCRAFT: THE FACTS
1. Witchcraft means "Craft of the Wise Ones" and is also known as the "OldReligion". Its practices can be traced to Neolithic "Stone Age") cave paintings. In
early times, the Witch was the local lawyer, psychiatrist, and doctor. The field of
modern medicine can trace its origins to the herbal medicines of the Witch.Witchcraft is a naturereligion, not unlike the shamanism of the Native Americans.As the concepts of male and female exist through-out life -- indeed, are necessary to
create it -- most Witches perceive Deity as male and female: the Goddess and the
God. Like the concept of the Trinity, these aren't "many" Gods; they are aspectsofthe ONE Creator.The Goddess is seen as Mother Earth and Mother Nature, and is represented by the
Moon. She is seen in the fertility of the plant, animal, and human kingdoms. Her
power is at a peak in the "fertile half" of the year, from May until October.The God is seen in the woodlands, the Sun, grain, & the hunt. Because most of the
animals that prehistoric humans hunted had horns, He is usually depicted as the
"Horned One". His power is at a peak in the "dark half" of the year, from October
to May.
2. Witches don'tdo evil. They believe in the Wiccan Rede, which is "If It HarmsNone, Do What You Will". (In other words, "Do whatever you want; just as long asit doesn't harm anyone-- including yourself").
Witches also believe in the "Three-Fold Law", which states that whatever you do --
be it good or evil -- comes back to you three times over, so (obviously) there is no
incentive to do evil.3. Witches do NOT believe in or worship Satan, and do notperform any sort ofhuman or animal sacrifices. Satan is a relatively new concept that originated with
Christianity. Witches put the responsibility for our own actions squarely on whom it
belongs: ourselves. Witchcraft teaches us to be responsible people who takeresponsibility for our own actions.
When the Christian Church decided to obliterate religions that were a threat to its
power (including Witchcraft), they decided that their "Satan" had horns and that
Witches were actually worshipping the Devil. This became the death warrant for
millions of innocent people.
-
7/29/2019 Witchcraft - The Facts
2/2
4. The Pentagram (a five-pointed star in an upright, one-point-up position) is thesymbol of our religion. The top point symbolizes Spirit (the Creator) being 'above',
or ruling, the Four Elements of Life -- Air, Fire, Water, & Earth -- which are the
four lower points.The Circle, being without beginning or end, symbolizes the Deity. It is completely
encompassing the Star within it (which represents the out-stretched human body,reaching out in search of its connection with Spirit). Together, they represent the
Creator's Protection & Wisdom.
Inverting the Pentagram, as is done by Satanists, symbolizes that the Elements (the
"material world") are superior to the Creator. Unfortunately, through
misunderstandings that have been repeated by the media, the Pentagram -- in
whatever position -- has become wrongly equated with Satanism. (Please note,
though, that in England, there are several traditions that use the inverted
pentagram as a symbol for a second degree -- which obviously has nothing to do
with Satanism).
5. A male Witch is not a "Warlock". This is a Scottish term, meaning "traitor", or"oathbreaker". (A male Witch is a "Witch").
6. Witchcraft is a legal religion protected under the First and Fourteenthamendments. We are non-proselytizing; we don't seek to convert anyone. We feelthat all religions are equally valid, and that you should be free to choose the onewith which you are most comfortable. No religion has the monopoly of God (despite
what some may claim). As long as it doesn't infringe on the rights of others, we all
have a right to our own method of worshipping the Deity.
Distributed By:
This page is online at
www.nvogel.com/fact.html
(with FAQ, book lists, links,
& RealAudio TV/radio interviews)
Written by Rev. Norm Vogel