WitchCraft, Wicca, What?
Countless times if you say you are a witch or that you practice Witch Craft – people will usually assume you are a type Wiccan or worse, Satan Worshiper. 🙄 They think of Harry Potter and that you believe that you can make things appear with the flick of your wand and a few choice words. If only it were so simple.
Unless you’ve done some research or know someone on a similar path, you probably get confused with all the terms and what exactly a Witch is – or does…
Sometimes you will hear people say they are Spiritual but not Religious or that they are Pagan but don’t practice Witch Craft. It can seem a bit confusing if you’re new to it all.
You can practice Witch Craft without laying claim to any one(or several) “religions”.
If you are reading this, that means you are interested in what they are and the differences. Perhaps your just curious – or perhaps you are just starting your own journey and are trying to find the right path. Documenting it also helps me to remember and apply the knowledge I gather. There is an abundance of information regarding this very subject all over the internet.
So lets discuss what all this is about.
First of all Pagan is an Umbrella Term.
The term “Pagan” (derived from the Latin paganus, which translates roughly to “hick from the sticks”) was used to describe people who lived in rural areas (country). When Christianity was spreading these were some of the last areas to convert (holding onto their old beliefs), and the term Pagan began to refer to Non-Christians.
There are many different forms of Paganism but most are based around the belief of Nature and our Earth being sacred and holy. Not all Pagans practice Witch Craft.
Witch Craft is the practice of focusing, controlling and manipulating energies to cause a desired change or out come. This is also known as “Casting Spells”. Everything has energy and we simply do what we can to help guide the energy where we need it. You do not have to be a follower of any religion to practice Witch Craft. You do have to be somewhat spiritual for it to really work, you must have the belief in the energies that make up our universe. Anyone can practice Witch Craft and many people do without even realizing it. Even something as simple as lighting a candle in prayer or meditation is a form of Witch Craft. We use tools such as crystals, herbs and candles to help guide, focus and enhance the energies we are working with.
Spirituality vs Religion
Religion is a set of texts, practices and beliefs about the Divine held by a group or person that involves a relationship with God(s) or other Higher Power(s) regarded as the Creator(s).
Spirituality is a broad concept and is about a person’s connection with their soul, spirit, Creator or other Divinity. It’s finding personal meaning, connection and value in yourself, your life, your higher power and your surroundings. It’s the idea that there is something bigger than yourself out there, weather it’s the Universe itself and the power it holds or a God and your connection to that power.
You can be a spiritual person without claiming a religion.
Witch Craft is not a toy or parlor trick. It is not something to be taken lightly. It takes practice and the ability to get in-tune with your own energy and the energy around you. Some are born with natural gifts that will aid them while others must practice a bit more to get the same results. Witch Craft is personal and unique to each person. It takes work, patience and openness.
I think that about covers the basics on Witch Craft and the Pagan Religions. If this is a path you are interested in, my suggestion to you is to spend at least 6 months to a year learning. Don’t try to jump right into Witch Craft without any research, it probably won’t work well for you. Learn what is involved, learn the theories, the correspondences, and start with a good foundation to build upon.
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