| Myths and Facts about Witches |
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Myth #1: Witches worship the devil! Fact: Witches do not even believe in the devil! Long ago, Christians invented the concept of "Satan" to gain control over others by way of the fear concept. Wiccans do not believe in any evil diety. Myth #2: Witches are evil, and practice black magic! Fact: Witches are not evil at all. In fact one of the laws of Wicca states: "An it harm none, do what ye will". Wiccans traditionally have strong morals, and only practice white magic, to do good for others. A few Wiccans do practice black magic, or magic to control others, but this is frowned upon in the Pagan community. For more information on magic, see my "What is magic?" section. Myth #3: Witches fly around on their magic broomsticks at night. Fact: There are many different theories as to how this myth got started. One is that women in olden days used to hop along on their broomsticks in the fields at night to scare away rabbits, gophers, and other pests. This practice was also thought to increase fertility. The fact is that brooms are used in ritual by Witches today, but I have never witnessed anyone flying on one! Brooms are representative of the Goddess, and feminine power, and are used sybolically before and after rituals and spells to "sweep away" negative energies. The concept of "flying" is another one completly. Many witches do "fly" by way of levitation, meditation, and astral projection. There are recipies for ointments and drinks to aid in this practice, (Best used only by the advanced magical practitioner) and I have included them in my Book of Shadows for sale on this site. Myth #4: Witches don't believe in God! Fact: Witches don't believe in a Christian male oppressive God, no, but they do believe very strongly in a God or Goddess, a higher power. A lot of feminists are Wiccan because it offers them total equality spiritually, and encourages exploring your own feminine power. Some Wiccans worship the God and Goddess as one: Two halves of the same power. Some refer only to the Goddess. I usually refer to the Goddess because it feels right for me. When I am in nature listening to the sounds of the earth, the voice I hear is female. That does not mean, however, that I believe the force is only feminine. I truely believe that the Great One comes to everyone differently. Listen to the earth, and you will hear her speak. Myth #5: Witches are anti-Christian! Fact: Paganism and Wicca have a lot more in common with Christianity than differences. We both belive in trying to be the best person you can, and to help your fellow humans. Most of the Wiccans I know even revere and love Jesus. The only difference there is that Wiccans don't believe he was the son of god. We do beleive he was a great man who was about peace and love, and in such a time as he lived, was greatly needed. Wiccans, for the most part, also follow the teachings of Buddha. I believe if Jesus and Buddha were to meet and talk, they would both say the same things. And who's to say they haven't? The point is, Wiccans are not anti-Christian at all, but wish to live side by side in non-judgemental peace. Myth #6: Wicca is just a fad, a silly New Age concept that makes people believe they have power. It's a big scam! Fact: Wicca is both the oldest and the newest of religions. It was squelched long ago by Christians claiming that Witches were doing the work of the Devil. By murdering any woman that was thought to be a witch, Christians successfully managed to almost completly wipe out the peace-loveing nature worshipers. Any remaining Witches had to practice their faith in total secrecy and quiet. In the 1970's, a movement swept through the world, and Witches began coming forward all over the world, and practicing their craft unashamed and in the open. Wiccans come in all shapes and sizes, backgrounds, ages, and colors. It is the most important facet of who I am. I have always known I was a witch, and although the road to self-acceptance is difficult, I have strength in the fact that I am a witch. It is true, more women are drawn to Wicca than men, but more and more men are becoming Witches all the time, and I think it is wonderful! Myth #7: Witches were never really burned in Salem! That's just a story! Fact: Perhaps this is the most frustrating one to me. Of course Chrsitians don't want to beleive that their people were capable of such horrible murder. Who would? But I was there. In a past life I was in Salem. I was a healer, a wise-woman, and I was burned with two of my friends in a square with many people watching. I died knowing I was right. It happened. Back to Main Page |