| Frequently Asked Questions |
| Do you worship God? Or are you a Satanist? No, to both. Pagans do not recognize the god and devil of Christianity. Paganism is an earth-based religion, which is polytheistic (recognizing many deities). We worship all that is around us and celebrate the wonders of our world. Witchcraft pre-dates Christianity, so the ideas found in Christianity are not found in witchcraft and paganism. Isn't the pentagram a satanic symbol? Satanists do use the pentagram, but for different puposes. Unfortunately, people don't realize that it is a life- and power-affirming symbol. Refer to the Pentagram section for a closer look. What's the difference between a Pagan and a Witch? A Pagan is someone who communes with the natural energies around her/him. A witch is someone who uses those energies to change her/his surroundings in some way. You can be a Pagan without being a Witch, but you can't be a Witch without being a Pagan. What are Sabbats? Sabbats are referred to as witches' holidays. All pagans enjoy the sabbats, but may not participate in rituals. Refer to the BOS for an in-depth look at our sabbats. Where do I start if I want to learn about being a witch? Your local library should have some books dealing with this subject. And there is so much information available on the Net. Using a search engine, just search for "pagan," "witchcraft," or "wicca". You must study everything you can. Keep in mind, like all realms of life, there are different opinions on paganism and witchcraft. Decide things for yourself. Take other's opinions as that, just they're opinions. But, listen to what they say. You can learn a lot by just soaking it in. Christians keep trying to convince me I'm wrong. What do I do? Pagans do not go out and try to convert new pagans. We respect all religions whether we agree with them or not. When boiled down, all religions focus on 2 things - being the best person you can be and not hurting others. But, unfortunately, not everyone can understand that what's right for them is not necessarily what's right for others. When approached, simply (and politely) tell them that you do not infringe on their rights of religion, and you'd appreciate it if they would not infringe upon yours. Is a male witch a warlock? Witches are witches, whether they're male or female. The term "warlock" actually means "oath breaker". So, please don't call a male witch a warlock... It will cause great harm! What is Black Magick? Magick is neither "white" nor "black". The term "black magick" is often used to describe magick that is "bad", used to cause harm or to force someone to do something against his/her will. But, it is not actually the magick that is "black": The spell caster is the one who decides how his/her magick will be used. Why do you spell magic as magick? It is simply to differentiate between stage magic (like in Vegas) and real magick. Are there gay or bi-sexual witches? Certainly! Paganism and witchcraft worships the energy of the universe. The energy found inside of each of us does not have a sex (male or female). It simply is. It is our physical forms which have sexes. It is the energy that is important. It will find its own mate of preference, and if it someone of the same sex, so be it. We love one another and do not judge. Who are we (anyone) to say what is right and wrong, what someone can or can't do, what is moral or immoral? Each person must decide those things for themselves, and we will welcome that decision with love. How can I find a pagan group in my area? Yahoo Groups is a nice way. But, the best I've found is the WitchVox. They have their registered members listed by state, then town. You may contact members via their message system only, as a way to protect members' privacy. Good luck! I will post more questions as I receive them! |
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