Q: What is a Witch?
A: A witch is a person (male or female) who practises a religion known as Wicca. The term is also used by many pagans of other religions.
Q: What is Wicca?
A: Wicca is a system of pagan religeons which believe that the Earth and all of creation is holy and sacred. Witches believe in a variety of different gods and goddesses but all believe in at least a god and a goddess.
Q: What is a Pagan?
A: A pagan is anyone who does not believe in any of the five major religeons of the world (Judeo/Christianity, Muslim, Bhuddist, Taoist, Hindu). There are thousands of pagan religeons in the world including the practises of Native American tribes, the Aboriginal beliefs of Australia, the Nordic religeons, etc.
Q: Are Witches in league with the Devil?
A: No. Witches do not believe in a devil. The gods of witches are not seen as wholly 'good', nor wholly 'evil'... therefore there is no need for an opposing force (i.e. Satan).
Q: Do Witches believe in Heaven?
A: Yes. Witches of all kinds believe in an afterlife. Each religeon has its own idea of heaven (i.e. Valhalla, The Summerlands, etc.) They believe that if the person has lived a good life then they will be rewarded by a stay there.
Q: Do witches believe in Hell?
A: No. It is a universally held belief that a witch who lives a bad life (i.e. doing evil deeds such as rape or murder) will at worst have his/her soul dissipated into the universe. At best, the witch would get a very short stay in 'heaven' and be sent back to try again.
Q: Do witches believe in reincarnation?
A: The answer is almost universally yes. A few wiccan practises believe in a one-shot soul incarnation, but the vast majority believe in reincarnation.
Q: Can witches really cast spells?
A: Yes. But it's not like in the movies. Spells are nothing more than highly refined and tightly focused prayer. The spells cast (by 'White Witches' anyway) never influence the free will of another.
Q: What is the difference between 'White' magic and 'Black' magick?
A: The difference is the effect that it has when the spell has taken effect. Those spells which effect the free will of another are considered 'black' magick. Those which leave the free will of all people intact are considered to be 'white' magick. For instance, casting of a spell which would make a specific person fall in love with you would be considered 'black' magick, while casting a spell which simply makes you more conducive to love energies is considered 'white' magick.
Q: Where can I go to learn more about Witch Craft?
A: One place I would start is by looking at the Witchcraft_102 homepage (listed above) for the suggested reading list. We have read every book that we list and each is rated as to the quality of the information found in that book.
Thank you for reading this FAQ. I hope that it has answered some of your questions. If you would like more info, please drop into our channel on IRC at #Witchcraft_102 or you may e-mail me. Please only e-mail me if you are serious about getting information and you can't find anyone on the channel... flames will be ignored.
Merry Part and Blessed Be!
by Torin W. (e-mail: athame@flash.net)
copywrite 1996 White Circle Enterprises
All rights reserved.