Okay, so how many times have I written the words witch, pagan, wiccan, occultist or anything else like it on the site so far? A lot. So what on earth do all the weird words actually mean? Basically, it's difficult to figure which word a specific person will use to describe themself. Some, like me, don't actually get the differences exactly, if indeed there are any. Generally I will use the word 'wicca'. Why? Because it's the one I like best.
The trouble with wicca is that the one word, plus those above and, probably, many others too, define so many beliefs and takes on the world that it's impossible to say: if you are a witch or a wiccan or whatever you believe these things and nothing else. It's very hard to say what we believe. Something I've seen a few times is this: A WITCH IS A WISE PERSON, SOMEONE WHO LEARNS ABOUT THE WORLD AND KNOWS SECRETS. But is it? I don't know much about the world that I wouldn't expect someone else to know about too. And lots of people know stuff I don't, like my mum. She's not a witch, but she knows how to work our washing machine, and I don't.
I've made a list of some of the things I would say made a witch, and I'd love to hear what you think on each of them. Basically the main rule I'll use is: if you think you're a witch, you are. Don't let me, or anyone else, tell you you aren't.
1. Wanting to learn. Witchcraft is a path of knowledge, if not so much knowing then in seeking to know the secrets of the universe.
2. Ritual. Yeah, so a lot of a witch's religion is ritualised. You don't need candles and an athame and scents and sacred objects and a circle or a temple or whatever, but a lot of people use some form of ritual in prayer.
3. Respect. A witch listens to others, and takes what they have to say without mockery. A witch strives not to kill or injure, either by a physical action, a spell, a word or as a result, direct or indirect, of any of these. We may never get there, but we can try.
4. The God and Goddess, Lord and Lady etc. Most wiccan paths honour two deities, one male and one female. This is basically the case even where many gods and goddesses are worshipped, with the many being aspects of the two.
5. Nature. A witch sees beauty in nature and in life. We strive to protect nature from harmful influences such as the destructive actions of man. You can still be a witch, however, if you live in a city center with no nature for miles but a weed in your back yard.
6. Festival days. Most witches would recognise the eight yearly Sabbats, and often also the full moon is honoured as a sacred day. Sometimes the New Moon is also seen as having religious significance.
That's all I've done so far but of course you can comment or add to it, or even start your own version. Just email me! nasilwe@yahoo.co.uk