A lot of people do not understand pagans and Wiccans. This was posted on the boards at a group I belong to and I wanted to share it with all of you. It kind of answers all of the usual question we as witches get everytime someone finds out about or religious beliefs.

The origin of this in unknown, since it has been passed as a e-mail forward for so long. Please enjoy and post this message to not take the credit away from the anonymous writer. Thank you.

I am a witch. I do not worship Satan.

I am not interested in Satan.

Satan was invented by the Christians.

Satanism is a form of Christianity.

I am not a Christian.

I don't go to church on Sunday.

Jesus is NOT my savior.

He was simply a holy man who lived 2,000 years ago.

I am not afraid of going to Hell because I don't believe in Hell any more than I believe in Satan.

I believe in reincarnation; that I will come back to this world or another and live out another life.

I am not evil.

Telling people I am a "good witch" or asking me if I am a good witch implies that there are evil witches.

There are evil people in the world, and there are people who chose to work with the forces of nature in a way that harms others; those people are NOT witches.

The central law of being a witch is: "if it harms none, do as you will."

Please don't ask me about sacrificing cats or desecrating churches. I love my cats, and I don't go into churches or synagogues unless a friend from that religion invites me to some special occasion.

And if I DO enter a church, I am not struck by lightning.

And if a Christian or a Jew or a Buddhist came to a pagan ritual, our gods would not strike them dead either.

Isn't that something to think about?

Wearing a pentacle is no different than wearing a cross, crucifix, or Star of David.

If you want me to take off the symbol of MY religion (and Wicca is a religion, protected by the same First Amendment rights as other religions) because it's offensive, you need to make everyone of every religion do that.

The five points of the star signify the four elements of Earth, Air, Fire & Water, and the fifth point is Spirit; encircled by the World.

How that can offend anyone boggles my little pagan mind. An image of a tortured, dying man is more offensive, yet thousands of people openly wear crucifixes every day.

Also, don't ask me if I'm in a "coven" in that half-horrified, half-fascinated tone of voice.

If I want to talk about my coven, I will bring it up.

If I am a solitary practitioner, I have no coven to discuss.

In any case, our rituals have candles, food, drink, poetry, dancing...yes, there is a knife but it only cuts the air, not anyone's flesh.

I don't drink blood.

I am not some kind of vampire.

I wear black because it keeps negativity away and because it looks better on me than orange and purple polka dots.

If you want to ask me something related to MY religion, ask me when the next full moon is.

Or the next Blue Moon.

Or what a blue moon IS.

Ask me about herbs.

Crystals.

Healing.

Even ask me to make you a love potion.

But I don't cast spells on other people and I won't cast a spell on you to make you prettier, thinner, more desirable.

And I won't cast a spell on your quarry to make him/her love you. Trust me, you don't want that, you don't want the karma that involves, and neither do I!

That's a form of manipulation, taking away someone's power, infringing on their free will.

Not nice at all.

And I also won't cast a binding spell to make someone STOP doing something to you.

Spell work is about co-creation. A witch works with universal energy, with the gods, to tilt the engine of probability somewhat.

Need money?

Don't try to ensorcel your boss to give you a raise. Simply ask the universe to increase the flow of abundance in your direction.

That infringes on NO ONE'S free will.

One last thing: giving me a book about the Burning Times is like giving a book on the Holocaust to a Jewish person.

It's not funny and is rude.

Yes, I do go to Salem, but not because any of those Poor executed people were witches (I think the jury is still out on some of them), but because there's cool pagan shops there.

If there were cool pagan shops in a town called East Cowflop, I'd go there.

Please don't try to make me ashamed of who I worship and what I am.

Please don't try to convert or "save" me.

Don't throw holy water on me.

Don't leave little pamphlets on my desk or windshield. I don't need to be saved.

Witches are proud of that fact that we don't recruit people to become witches.

We simply ARE, and those around us see how we think, how we act, and our inner peace, and only when someone says "how do I become a witch?" do we take them into the fold with us.

I will NEVER leave a religious tract with anyone.

I don't have one, unless you count this letter.

And I am not asking you to convert.

I am only asking you to understand.

If you don't want to understand, just leave me alone.

Hi Kaja Pythia

That Is correct. We are not evil people and although I do not follow the wiccan way( New age), I do follow the old school (15th/16th century) tradition. I am a witch but unlike new age we do not freely announce it.
Think about this very carefully:
If we were still living in those times and witchcraft was announced in this way...one would be burnt at the stake or their hands and feet bound together and cast in the river to drown.
A witch is a very secretive person and does not reveal her workings.
A witch would not be worth her salt if she announced it openly.
However, I agree that every witch is constantly judged and that we should be left alone if people do not understand.
I also agree that by wearing a pentagram shouldnt offent others and that there is nothing more offensive to see a totured man, yet millions out there display this everyday by wearing a crusifix.
I too wear black, not to be depressing , a symbolism of being dark etc
I wear black because its my choice.
I was born into this and therefore it was passed on to me, for this I am grateful and not ashamed.

Jesus is not my saviour as I dont need to be saved, for I unite with the entire universe through My God/Goddess.

In Perfect Love
In Perfect Trust
So Blessed Be.

Nightshade
xxx.

Kaia, where do you get all that knowledge? How can you be sure that this is the truth?!

...So you're saying that you guys are devil worshippers, right?
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I am just kidding...I am a kidder...

That was a very informative post, thanks for posting it. I wonder how many fundies will believe it though?

What I realize now is that people seem to focus more on their differences than thier simalarities. I have met some friends on this site that are really into wicca, and they seem like very nice people.

I call myself a Christian, because mainly that's what I am, but really my religion is a wonderful mixture of everything.

The only thing that sets some alarm bells off in my head is that you have more that one god... but I also believe that God loves everyone and does not discriminate, and that we, as humans, should do the same.

...I'm so glad that I'm an open-minded person!

*lightly baps Bunny on the head with her tail* Silly bunny!

Intresting crystal fact (that can tie to why they're concidered magical ) take two quartz crystals and placing the flat sides together (yes, make sure they have flat sides) and rub them together vigorusly. They glow!

Quartz glows when rubbed together? wow, I am going to have to try that one...

I know the electrical properties of quartz allows it to pulse very consistently when a small electrical current is run to it, which is why watches usually use quartz as a timekeeping device...

well put kaia pythia. i am reviled knowing the fact that Wiccans were terribly persecuted throught the century, if not earlier before that.in the name of the Roman Catholic Faith, may i ask for forgiveness for all the horror and pain that some of my ignorant ( aka stupid), high and mighty brothers and sisters caused to your brethren.


but let me remind you that there are Good Witches and Bad Witches, as there are good catholics/bad catholics, good moslems/bad moslems. although to be recognized as a witch you must be first and formost Wiccan, some non-wiccan are practising witchcraft, and shedding bad light on the Faith ( you have Hollywood to thank for portraying Witchcrafty in such a "evil" way) people are ignorant enought to see anybody practising witchcraft as witches, wiccan or non-wiccan. my group has encounterd lots of cases that so called "witches" practising "dark magic" on others. every faith has their deviants, a good example is these muslims beheading innocents in the name of their faith. i dont think even their brethren would tolerate such "heresies".

oh,by the way peeps, a male Witch is not called a Warlock. Warlock means "oath-breaker". a male witch is simply a male Witch.

hope i did you justice Kaia.

Merry Meet and Merry Part.

I am a Witch, in school I am discriminated against and outside by my family, the burning times continue, except usually we are taken to the point of suicide, Tempest Smith was one such.

In some countries witches are beaten, mobed, raped.... yes this isn't fiction.
------------------------------------
"Never again the stake, never again, we pray in hope, we pray for the zealots to be enlightened, to see past proproganda, may we one day live in Peace."
-Sarah Jane Mercer

Well, first let me reiterate that I did not write the above. However, I agree with what is written. Second, any knowledge I have on the subject comes from over six years experience in practicing and studying witchcraft. Six years is relatively a small amount of time, but the fact that I feel so at home in the Wiccan faith, to me, is testiment of this being where I belong, spiritually speaking.

As for how I can be sure that this is the truth, well, I'm not sure what specifically you mean by "this", but no matter what is true for others this is my truth. This is the path I chosen, just as it has chosen me.

The reason I posted this letter was to address some of the question that those of my faith deal with on a regular basis when someone who doesn't has much knowledge on the subject. For instance, the first time I told my (now former) best friend that I had begun to study Wicca her first question to me was, "So, are you a good witch or a bad witch?" I felt like I was in the Wizard of Oz. It didn't really offend me that she asked me this question, but that did start a chain of events that would nearly end our friendship. Now everytime I see her she asks me to go to church with her. I don't think she'll ever understand or want to understand, and this has distanced us. It is really sad because we were best friends for over ten years.

Most people think witch=evil=devil=etc. etc. Kulam is right that their are those who do magick specifically with the intention of harming others, and just like any other religious group that has these same kind of people, these are the ones that give Wicca/Witchcraft/Paganism a bad name. Just remember that this isn't true for everyone. Most of us are good people. Most of the time you'd never even know if you're standing right next to a witch. We like to do healing, divination, grow gardens, spend time outside in nature, dance, sing, write poetry, tell stories. Do these sound like evil people to you?

Well, that is the end of my rant for now. Thanks to those who responded to this post. May the Lord and Lady bless you and yours.

Brightest Blessings,
Kaia Pythia

Very informative Kaia, I thank you and I'm sure my British Wiccan friends would thank you too. As a sceptic, I am hard pressed to accept any religion (Deism is as close as I can come), but were I a little less tightly wound, I would probably be an "old tradition" Wiccan, as practiced in England (still the "Witchcraft" capital of the world). Having participated in Wiccan ceremony, I have found the religion to be one of the truly loving and peaceful religions of the world, quite unlike any of Abraham's three bloody brats. Thanks for putting the information out and I hope it does some good - Wolfie

Well I was born on Friday, the 13th and my mothers friends told her that I would be a witch, I am interested in pursuing it for my own knowledge, as I believe in holistic remedies. I do have a question though, how would I find someone to teach me? If some are very secretive? I also need someone to ask a deeper question to, about a spell I did (a few years back)- Kaia may I PM you? thanks for the information

What a great post! I am not Wiccan.(ive just started to learn..a couple months ago).I dont know what I am lol. I'm me! I love nature, it calms me..I have been reading about Druidry too...i love it. anyway..I loved your post. people rally do not understand..its not something you can just tell everyone..which really is irritating. what could possibly be wrong with celebrating nature and having ceremonies and rituals to welcome in new seasons? i just love it. and it bugs me so much that everyone can wear a cross..i wear a necklace..the moon symbol.)0(.because it means something to me, and people dont know what it is. well, no one yet.. well, i am rambling. if any of you would like to email me and chat i would love it. i would love to be able to talk to someone about all this. MP

This is where I found info on it.

Site also has some intresting things on it... (and does tie in with the conversation...)

Firstly let me say this: Wicca hasnt been around for centuries, for it is New age Witcraft.
True Witchcaft goes back centuries.
Wicca was invented by Gerald Gardner who bought rituals written by Aleister Crowley (if my memory serves me correctly, for about £50) - claiming, as people were wont to in those days of the renaissance of occultism - ancient origins for them. Wicca is a watered-down Crowleyanity.
So to say that you know it all Kaja, about Witchcraft is profoundly untrue, for you only know about the wicca way, which is fluffy and light.
My advice to you Me_again is:
If you truely want to learn witchcraft, first you must be dedicated to the craft and only the craft.
Read up on 15/16th century Witchcraft. You dont need to look for a teacher for your teacher will find you. Do get all the knowledge and dont fall into the trap of learning the wrong way. I am speaking as a true witch here. I would not reveal any of my workings or such, that would be for you to learn in your own way for each witch has her own way of working.Because I dont follow the wiccan way, that by no means that I am a devil worshipper.
You cannot tell who is a witch , you could even live next door to one and not know it. Only another witch can tell another witch and that is by making eye contact which they very rarely do for their powers are revealed.
You cannot make judgements by saying someone is a bad witch/good witch.
There is no colour coding in witchcraft either , such as Black , White, Grey or even Green. This is something Wiccans have created. It is in
my opinion that wiccans give witches a bad name as they dont really know the way of a witch.

A witch will do anything she has to do, to survive no matter what. She wont be defeated, So to you Pagan Jedi Girl, one cannot be driven to suicide, a witch has too much self control than that.
I am speaking here as a High Priestess, so I am more than sure that I know the True witches way.

I am also sorry if Ive offended any wiccans out there......No, what am I saying! No, I am not apologising for explaining the True Witches way.

It is no game, so think carefully before you enter, if you mess about with witchraft, you will get your fingers severely burnt.
Wiccans make it sound glamourous lol when its funny, for they are the ones who claim to be Witches.
I think not 1 Lol.

Nightshade.
xxx.

nightshade..you are right when you say a teacher will find you. that is what happened to me..very strange........and a question..how would you know by looking in their eyes..if they would look at you? I am really curious. I get certain feelings from people sometimes....

Right firstly this topic has been a disgrace to real witches.
Kaja did not write all that information it was a copy of a writting of someone else as she states.
Secondly Firen Im glad that someone out there realizes the subject of teacher or Mentor/Pupil thing.
There are many who are interested in Witchcraft or are practicing witches already. I have taught many and I have also learned from them in the process. Some have been a great sucess whereas a few have slipped away. They are the ones usually, who do not have enough dedication. Nothing comes for nothing these days and like many other things , if one wants to learn, one has to work hard to gain sucess....Am I making sense so far Firen???

nightshade..you make sense. when i started on whatever this quest is..when i sat down and looked myself in the eye..i asked for someone to guide me..and i actually found someone..and she met with me, and its been slow(we are all busy these days you know) but its like i was meant to meet her. and heres another wird thing..she described what she looked like so i would know..and in my head she looked just like i thought. to me that is something. what im learning is very pesonal..and not something i will tell anyone. its mine. and i am greatful to have found her..and anyone i have a certain connection with..which hasnt been ever until now.

I would like to thank you for that information, Kaia, as it was very helpful to my understanding.

....also you ask me about the eye contact thing. Well, first and formost a witch will glance but as soon as she has discovered another witch, say for example, in the same room, then she will look down or away for she knows her powers and abilities will be revealed to the other witch instantly through eye contact.
May I ask you have you ever met one???
and if so did you find it strange how she looked away when talking to you, sort of making you feel uncomfortable???
I dont expect for you explain every little detail , even the practice of witchcraft, as I understand that, this is personal but let me say this:

If you were in a place or room as a bystander yeah??? and I came in, then later on the room filled up with people and there happened to be another witch in the room and we by chance, glanced at each other, you would notice the instant reaction.....Do you follow???

I dont know if i have ever met one as far as in a random place. I am not a witch..so i dont know how i would spot one..but like i said i have had feelings..or cam accross certain people that i cannot look at. this new friend does have a hard time with the eye contact..as she says and i see it, everything is in her eyes..they are very intense..and when we talk and when we do make eye contact its very starange. I really cant explain it..and im not a weirdo..its just very hard to explain. sometimes im at a store and i will just get jumpy by some people..or someone will look at me out of the corner of their eye. i hope i am making sense..im not great with getting things accross when im typing. im staying here, waiting for your reply.

oh yah and one time i was in a store and i looked at someone and we instantly almost fled from each other..what is that? i really want to know. its almost like i can see into other people and other people can see into me..not all but people like me..does that make sense??? i hope so

I dont think you are a wierdo as this is exactly the sort of things that happen. They will not have eye contact for it will reveal their strength.
What I do think , is that you have potential as your posts say that you can pick up on things.
My suggestion to you is to persue this and see where it takes you. I think you will be surprised.

....also I could guide you if you wish. Its entirely up to you.

BlessedBe.
xxx

nightshade. it is scary to me in some ways..letting myself be who i am supposed to be. whatever that is.. does that make sense? i emailed you..let me know if you got it and we can keep talking that way..i would love your guidance. do you have icq by any chance? this topic is really off course by us..lol

another thing..witches have other witch friends then right? its only when you come by one by chance that the fleeing occurs..do you see what im saying?

I being Pagan (not Wiccan however) have had my share of discrimination. But it's usually been by extreme religious nutcases. I don't really argue the point with them considering I don't feel I have to explain myself. People tend to feel they have to prove their beliefs - I don't.

Anyone can misuse a religion as a catalyst for their personal agenda. So, I usually don't pay too much attention to them either.

I am surprised however how ignorant some folks are about the differences between older Paganism and Wicca (of course there are similarities). I am also surprised that when someone says they are a witch, it's automatically assumed they are Wiccan.

I suppose it's because the New Age religions are popular, and some of the older Pagan beliefs are not so mainstream. Not saying that is bad, it's just an observation. Face it, Druidism and a lot of the Celtic traditions were destroyed. There are hordes of Orders however trying to rebuild the beliefs... which is a good thing.

I know it can be frustrating to try and live as you are without idiots assuming the wrong things. But I appreciate questions more than I do assumptions. So try not to get too upset when someone asks you a silly question, at least they are asking. This opens the door to educating them. The more people are educated about beliefs and culture the less ignorance that harbors this world.

Namaste.

Deadly Nightshade,

In what part of my post did I say that I know it all? I said that I've been practicing and studying for 6 short years, and that this path is my truth, and my truth only. I cannot speak for others, but listed things that I do pertaining to my path. As for Wicca being fluffy and light, that is your opinion. I respect the fact that you follow your own path, so please respect mine.



I am sorry that you feel this way.

Of couse Firen.
We shall correspond by e mail as youre right, this discussion is not deep enough. The topic is too airy fairy and is not really what the old pagan traditional witchcraft is all about.

Blessed Be.
xxx.

Nightshade,
Do you have a link for this?


I am not saying that Wicca is old or that it wasn't invented by Gardner, but it seems to me it is closer to Celtic Paganism than Crowley.
I am not Wiccan, I am a Celtic Witch. I am not secretive about my religion (I don't give out spells, one needs experience for that.) anymore than christians are about theirs. It is the time of the Sun and Moon; maybe we have been secretive to long.
SMIB

Nightshade
looking forward to your email. I emailed you earlier today.
blessed be.

Nightshade,
I must admit that I don't know much about Gardener. Most of what I know about Witchcraft I learned from Physics, the Trees, the Gods/Goddesses, my own spiritual experience, books on the Celtic Path, and fellow Witches. I have learned one very important truth. Spiritual Truth is Spiritual Truth no matter was it comes from. I don't put down Wicca. It is a valid Path, it works well for those who practice it.
Blessings and Peace

Hi Darkwind
Dont get me wrong, I am not putting wicca's down for they have a strong belief too, however, what I am trying to point out here, is the true way of witches. Dont forget that the wicca way was created in the 20th century and although we have some similarities here, wiccans have a watered down version of witchcraft as witchcraft goes back into many centuries (15th/16 century) therefore , many wiccans who claim to be witches are not necessarily so for they dont follow the tradition.

With Love and Light

Blessed Be.
Nightshade.
xxx.

Thank you Kaia. Your post not only did justice for witches, but everyone in the world that is a pagan and sadly, is misunderstood. It angers me to see what goes on and how prejudiced people really are, luckily though, we have people like you in the world too.

i respect you for what you belive in and dont listen to deadly

why not listen to deadly huh?

shes a skeptic

Thats your opinion.

no its the truth

And what gives you the right to judge me Blazer???
Have you so quickly forgotten the rules of conduct to joining the board:
about casting words against members of this board???
Anyway Blazer, I am far from what you say i am.
I am a fully pledged witch and if Firien wants to e mail me then thats her decission.
Oh, by the way Blazer, I dont think you would resort to name calling if you were in the chatroom earlier for me and Firien have had a phenomenal connection with each other spiritually.
Both firien and myself are on different sides of the world so please come back and explain how that happened.

With Love
Nightshade.
xxx.

Nightshade, you make me smile.

Hey blazer... I've got a mansion I'm willing to sell you for 20$...

Firien, I always like to make everyone smile.
I dont know who exactly blazer is referring to when he says quote; I respect your religion. He certainly does not respect mine.

With Love and Light.
Blessed Be.

Nightshade.
xxx.

Ps. I see he hasnt been back though loL.

Does it means that you are sure there is a God/Goddess? If yes, is it just because you feel it's your path?!

I found this to be very interesting for me as I have had my own experience with a witch. If someone was to ask me if she was a good witch or a bad witch I would have to say bad. But then I can only think, was my experience only coincidental or was I actually cursed by this witch. If I was cursed I would say she is a very powerful witch. But as you all say there are good and bad in all things and I do not wish to cast a shadow over anyones beliefs and I respect your beliefs as a part of you.

Kaia, this is a necessary subject in the wold today and needs to be broached, it is good to clear away proproganda that surrounds this path, please know I have enjoyed this thread. You have gracefully answered back to those who insult you, bravo.

Also, those who are coming with agontistic views, please, adding negativity, making others feel insecure is not the Wiccan Way, so let it not be yours, whatever your faith, for all spirtualities speak of doing onto others as you'd have them do unto you, and frankly those who spread out negativity and closemindedness... I pity you, for one as such can't touch Divine truth.

Blessed be.

Blessed Be

Nightshade
xxx.

I hope that I am not the one you refer to, jedi girl, about being negative. It was not my intention if I am. I'm just curious and open minded about all of it.

I have spent time reading this thread for the first time, and I have to say, that I agree about there being way to many misconceptions when it comes to witches in todays world.
Witches have been victims of religious intolerance for centuries, and it still goes on today. Witches/Wicca has recieved an undeserved negative reputation among all those who are misinformed.
Wicca is a "religion". It is chosen by people who have (with careful consideration) decided this is the path they belong on.
Wiccans do not practice negative magic. There is the rule of three: "What is sent out, comes back to thee, THREEFOLD." So for this reason witches don't send out negativity, doesn't use their power against another witch, and follows the rule, "An it harm none, do what you will."
Being a witch isn't derived from pacts with the devil or satan, it has nothing to do with the devil.
It is an individual, and personal relationship with the Goddess and the God. Wicca has respect for Nature, for Earth and for all Her living creatures. (Wicca is a Pagan, or Native, religion.)
Being a witch is a way of life, as well as a religion.

Blessed Be,
~earthygirl~

nightshade..if you are here now..go to chat..i am there