Lesson Two:
Dispelling the Darkenss of Ignorance

In lesson one, "Ethical Practice: the Energy Behind Magick", we looked at the importance of performing magick responsibly so that no person nor any being is harmed in any way, shape or form, including ourselves.  It was very important to clear the air in this regard because many poeple who come to witchcraft are looking for spells to get even with someone who has harmed them, or to compel someone to respond to them in ways that they normally wouldn't if they weren't so influenced.  This is not the purpose of Wicca.

Wicca is one of many earth religions that honor the cycles of nature and the divine through ritualistic practice and the working of magick.  We use it to help ourselves and to heal the world around us.  There is no dancing with demons or human sacrifices on our altars.  We don't recite popular prayers backwards and we don't sell our souls to dark entities (namely Satan) in exchange for power. 

Dealing with the "unknown" or "unseen" can be very frighteneing to those without knowledge, but what is even more terrifying is not being able to practice your convictions freely without the fear of ridicule, limitation or repercussions too dreadful to think about.

Below is a list that I have adapted and added to in order to set the record straight as to what practices Wicca does not (contrary to popular belief) promote:

The renunciation of your own religion as a prerequisite to the magickal work.  This can take the form of reciting popular prayers backwards.  This is an unnecessary and negative act.

The desecration of any holy object: crosses, Jewish stars, pentagrams or the likes. No spitting, trampling or urinating PLEASE!  We don't even turn them upside down.

Selling one soul or making deals with dark unseen forces...demon, angel, spirit or otherwise.  when a magickal work requires making pacts or negotiations, or promising to do something in exchange for power, it is negative and dangerous.  Remember that ten-foot pole?

Threatening entities in doing our bidding.  Free will factor applies to them too.  We ask nicely. :-) 

Revenge spells.  In light of the rule of three and the boomerang effect, performing these types of spells would be totally foolish.

Manipulation - others thoughts, minds, lives.  No love potions, recipes or herbs that influence specific people in any way.

Using the belongings of people, body parts, blood, and fingernails for magickal purposes. 

Don't work magick in a language you don't understand and don't work it AT ALL until you thoroughly understand it.  We don't go around spell casting blindly.  This is very serious.  when we perform magick, we are tapping in to unseen energy and forces.  Without understanding how to be properly prepared and protected physically (through circle) and psychically, we can be putting others and oursleves into danger.

Most importantly, if your gut, your intuition, whatever you want to call it, sends you a signal...don't ignore it.  We are given our intuitive abilities for our own protection.

See "Positive Magic" pg. 54 by Marion Weinstein, Phoenix Publishing, Inc.

There have been alot of misconceptions and lies about what witches do and believe, but there has also bee a misunderstanding as to the history of what has become known as "The Burning Times", or simply put, the persecutions of those accused of witchcraft.  Even though there is evidence to support some of the history, it may not read exactly as you thought.  Ignorance in any form is not beneficial to our spiritual growth on the path.

The Burning Times was a period in history where many people were burned for witchcraft.  The majority of the mass hysteria surrounding the witch hunts occurred from about 1550 AD to 1650 AD throughout all of Europe.  The largest number of witch hunts occurred in central Europe around Germany, Switzerland, and Eastern France.  The farther away from that area you go, the more the number of witch trial decrease.  contrary to popular belief, the witch hunts hit hardest where the strength of the church and the government was weak.   Most of the executions were carried out by local, secular courts.  The best evidence supports that approximately 40-60,000 people were executed as witches during those dark times."  Borrowed with permission of MorningMoon

~May this knowledge not go out blindly but may it bring peace and light the way to wisdom in the dark void of ignorance.~ Sagewoman

For more info on the Great European Witch Hunt....