The Olde Craeft (Back to Main)

WARNING: A collection of essays, articles, and suggested reading in the category of WITCHCRAFT are kept here for public use and learning. I, the keeper of this site, acknowledge Witchcraft also under the titles of Paganism, 'The Olde Craeft,' 'The Old Ways,' and Wicca. I have been practicing Paganism for 11 years and counting, so if you are offended with the subject matter and are not willing to be educated on it before casting judgement upon it and myself by association, then I ask that you please leave without harm being done vocally, physically, or emotionally, as I am NOT forcing you to stay here and read. Thank you.

- Principles of Wiiccan Belief - Summary, Preamble, and code of ethics -
- Witchcraft and the Salem Witch Trials - Suggested Reading and References -
'Principles of Wiccan Belief'
Council of American Witches
11-14 April 1974
The Council of American Witches finds it necessary to define modern Witchcraft in terms of the American experience and needs. We are not bound by traditions from other times and other cultures, and owe no allegiance to any person or power greater than the Divinity manifest through our own being. As American Witches we welcome and respect all Life Affirming teachings and tradictions, and seek to learn from all and to share that learning within our Council. It is in this spirit of welcome and cooperation that we adopt these few principles of Wiccan belief. In seeking to be inclusive, we do not wish to open ourselves to the destruction of our group by those on self-serving power trips, or to philosophies and practices contradictory to those principles. In seeking to exclude those whose ways are contradictory to ours, we do not want to deny participation with us to any who are sincerely interested in our knowledge and beliefs, regardless of race, color, sex, age, national or cultural origins or sexual preference.

1. We practice Rites to attune ourselves with the natural thythm of life forces marked by the Phases of the Moon and the Seasonal Quarters and Cross Quarters.

2. We recognize that our intelligence gives us a uniqe responsibility toward our environment. We seek to live in harmony with Nature, in ecological balance offering fulfillment to life and consciousnes within an evolutionary concept.

3. We acknowledge a depth of power far greater than that apparent to the average person. Because it is far greater than ordinary, it is sometimes called "supernatural," but we see it as lying within that which is naturally potential to all.

4. We conceive of the Creative Power in the Universe as manifesting through polarity--as masculine and feminine--and that this same Creative Power lives in all people, and functions through the interaction of the masculine and the faminine. We value neither above the other, knowing each to be supporting of the other. We value Sex as pleasure, as the symbol and embodiment of life, and as one of the sources of energies used in magical practice and religious worship.

5. We recognize both outer worlds and inner, or psychological, worlds--sometimes known as the Spiritual World, the Collective Unconscious, the Inner Planes, etc.--and we see in the interaction of these two dimensions the basis for paranormal phenomena and magical exercises. We neglect neither dimension for the other, seeing both as necessary for our fulfillment.

6. We do not recognize any authoritarian hierarchy, but do honor those who teach, respect those who share their greater knowledge and wisdom, and acknowledge those who have courageously given of themselves in leadership.

7. We see religion, magick, and wisdom-in-living as being united in the way one views the world and lives within it--a worldview and philosophy-of-life which we identify as Witchcraft, the Wiccan Way.

8. Calling oneself "Witch" does not make a witch--but neither does heredity itself, or the collecting of titles, degrees and initiations. A Witch seeks to control the forces within him/herself that make life possible in order to live wisely and well, without harm to others, and in harmony with Nature.

9. We acknowledge that it is the affirmation and fulfillment of life, in a continuation of evolution and developement of consciousness, that gives meaning to the Universe we know, and to our personal role within it.

10. Our only animosity toward Christianity, or toward any other religion or philosophy-of-life, is to the extent that its institutions have claimed to be "the only way" and have sought to deny freedom to others and to suppress other ways of religious practice and belief.

11. As Amercian Witches, we are not threatened by debates on the history of the Craft, the origins of various aspects of different traditions. We are concerned with our present, and our future.

12. We do not accept the concept of "absolute evil," nor do we worship any entity known as "Satan" or "The Devil" as defined by the Christian tradition. We do not seek power through the suffering of others, nor do we accept the concept that personal benefit can only be derived by denial to another.

13. We acknowledge that we seek within Nature for that which is contributory to our health and well-being. Top of Page

'Summary, Preamble, and code of ethics'
Covenant of the Goddess
Summer Solstice 1975
We could not define what a Witch is in words. Because there are too many differences. Our reality is intuitive. We know when we encounter someone who we feel is worshipping in the same way, who follows the same religion we do, and that's our reality, and that has to be understood, somehow, in anything we do.

We establish this Covenant to bring us closer together and to help us serve that Craft and the Pagan Community. We define ourselves: (1) We all worship the Goddess, and many others honor other dieties. (2) We are bound by Craft law, not necessarily indentical in all traditions. (3) We recognize each other as being in the Craft. We are not the only Witches. Witches who do not choose to join us are nonetheless Witches. Each coven is autonomous. Any authority given to the covenant is by the choice of each coven, and can be withdrawn.

1. An ye harm none, do as ye will.
2. No one may offer initiations for money, nor charge initiates money to learn the Craft.
3. Any Witch may charge reasonable fees to the public.
4. Witches shall respect the autonomy of other Witches.
5. All Witches shall respect the secrecy of the Craft.
6. In any public statement Witches should distinguish whether we are speaking for ourselves, our coven, or our church.
7. All these Ethics are interwoven and derive from Craft Law. Top of Page

'Witchcraft and the Salem Witch Trials'
C.M. Watson
15 March 2002
Over the years, many different opinions have been given on the subject of Witchcraft, including the obvious dislike for the subject as shown from the Salem Witch Trials in 1692. Of the different opinions given, one stands clear over all the others: Witchcraft, in any form, is not accepted. Many people consider Witchcraft an evil that will corrupt the people of a decent society and cause more trouble than is needed for all people. The definition of 'evil' people have used to define Witchcraft comes from the bible, describing it as the 'devil's religion against God.' That definition is incorrect, as it has been for centuries. Witchcraft is not a religion based off God or the Devil in any way, shape, form, or theory. This simple misunderstanding has caused great prejudice against an-accused-as-guilty group of people whose only crime was living their own lives the way they understand and feel comfortable with.

Simple fact shows that if a person or group of people understands something for its full and true definition, the prejudice against it --on most occasions-- will not remain. UUnbelievable as this may seem, gathering and understanding all the facts can save a great many lives. Knowing this, and adding into the equation the Salem Witch Trials, one can see how this is, indeed, a serious subject that could have been avoided and needs reconsideration.

As many people know, or will someday learn, the largest event that took place against practitioners of Witchcraft was the Witch Hunt that took place in Salem, Massachusetts, and the Witch Trials that followed. The whole Hunt was started from the boredom of two young girls, the daughter and niece of a reverend in Salem Village, whom decided to make up a game to pass the time. They broke open an egg into a glass and tried to find images from the yolk and white left at the bottom of the glass to help try to tell the future, such as whom they might be married to some day. This type of game was considered a part of Witchcraft and the occult practices, and they had been taught that such a thing was thought to be "tampering with the business of God and would 'open the door to Satan'." (A village Possessed: A true story of Witchcraft, 'accusations'.) A few days later, both girls began having 'fits,' going into seizures that left them temporarily incapable of most willing movement, such as walking, and yelling out various names of people from the village and town. The father and doctor seeing to the two young girls assumed the names they called out to be the names of Witches who had cursed the two young girls, as well as other girls that had started with similar symptoms, and thus began the Salem Witch Trials on March 1, 1692, and continued on to September 22, 1692. The Witch Hunt and Salem Witch Trials had started with the simple childish game, and were carried on for reasons unrelated to the illness of the girls in Salem Village and Town. Ministers, priests, and reverends used the trials to help promote the Puritan church and religion, while many resident people used the charge of Witchcraft to get revenge on people they simply didn't like by getting them thrown into prison or killed. Eventually, governor William Phips realized that hundreds of people were getting punished without any physical evidence being held against them, only the words of the accusers having been taken, and he finally put an end to the Witch Hunt and Salem Witch Trials. By October 1692, when the court finally dissolved, 19 people had been hanged, 150 imprisoned, and one man pressed to death under plank, weights, and stones.

All of the people killed had been buried in unmarked graves, and have remained unfound for all these centuries after, due to the belief that they had truly been worshippers of the Devil, and did not deserve to be buried in the consecrated ground of the church, (Salem Witch Museum Education, 2.)

As irony would have it, over a hundred and fifty people were killed without evidence, yet the governor and other people who had accused and punnished the so-called 'Witches' without evidence walked away as though they had done no crime what so ever. How this decision of rights and wrongs that needed to be punished came to be has yet to be known, just as the reasons why there is such a high amount of prejudice against Witchcraft will never really be known. the most that can be said of the subject is that their understandings of Witchcraft at the time were highly inaccurate, and remain nearly as much so today. One man has described the constant misunderstandings of the craft as having "every kind of magical activity, including any unacceptable brand of religion, might be lumped together under the blanket title of 'witchcraft.'" (Thomas, 436.) In that one sentance, auther Keith Thomas accurate describes the views of Witchcraft that have remained over the centuries, and how misguided that judgement has remained is explained as completely the opposite of the majorities beliefs:

"...Witchcraft is a pantheistic religion that includes reverence for nature, belief in the rights of others and pride in one's own spirituality. Practitioners of witchcraft focus on the good and positive in life and in the spirit and entirely reject any connection with the devil. Their beliefs go back to ancient time, long before the advent of Christianity; therefore no ties exist between then and the Christian embodiment of evil. Witchcraft has been confused in the popular mind with pointy hats, green faces, and broomsticks. This is a misrepresentation that witches are anxious to dispel." (Salem Witch Museum Education, 1).

The best way to avoid such confusions of truth and fiction is, as had been said time and time again, to understand what it is that you are judging, before any judgement is given towards it at all. The first step is to stop and think to oneself, "why do I hate this so much?" Most of the time people will find that hating a subject was something they were taught either direction or by demonstration. If thise were the case, as it is most likely to be, the best solution would be to look into it and find out the facts by oneself. If a person's opinion of a subject is given, chances are they'll tell another person that it is something evil without knowing themselves. Yes, Witchcraft is a religion, and a lot of people don't like the idea of a religion that doesn't follow the principle of one God protection all the people. This is where the idea that Witchcraft is a devil-worshipping religion comes from, and where people make the first mistake. Witchcraft can be in the form of either Wicca or Pagan. both are based off the same principles of ritual, as are all religions. Most people hear the word 'ritual' and think of sacrifice or something similar, though they have rituals as well. These rituals, that are international through most religions, include Christmas, Halloween, and so forth. In truth, there is very little difference between Witchcraft and the religion of Christians. Looking for these and other facts about Witchcraft make all the difference in the judgement of other people, and help to avoid tragic events such as the happenings of the Salem Witch Trials.

Along with learning about Witchcraft, Wiccas, and Pagans, one can learn the culture in witch other people live. They can learn the way these people follow Witchcraft is a way of life, and how it allows them to interact with all other people. A small thing that can make a big difference in the lives of many people is simply getting to know and understand something one never understood before. The key is to ask oneself, 'I've been told this is evil, and wrong, but what is it really? What is the who, what when where, why, and how of it?' And understand the wrongs that have been done because of inaccurate information. Top of Page

Suggested Reading and References
Updated 14 August 2004
I. Adler, Margot. Drawing Down the Moon. Arkana: Penguin Compass, 1997.

II. Conway, D.J. Wicca: The Complete Craft. Freedom, CA: The Crossing Press, 2001.

III. Cunningham, Scott. Wicca: A Guide For The Solitary Practitioner. MN: Llewellyn Publications, 1988 and 1994.

IV. De Angeles, Ly. Witchcraft: Theory and Practice. Minnesota: Llewellyn Publications, 2001.

V. Eilers, Dana D. The Practical Pagan. New Jersey: New Page Books, 2002.

VI. Frost, Gavin & Yvonne. Witch's Magical Handbook. NJ: Reward Books, 2000.

VII. Higginbotham, Joyce & River. Paganism: An Introduction to Earth-Centered Religions. Minnesota: Llwellyn Publications, 2002.

VIII. Huson, Paul. Mastering Herbalism: A Practical Guide. Maryland: Madison Books, 1974.

IX. Konstantinos. Nocturnal Witchcraft: Magick After Dark. Minnesota: Llwelleyn Publications, 2002.

X. Lust, John. The Herb Book. New York: Bantam Books, Inc., 1974.

XI. O'hara, Gwydion. Pagan Ways. Minnesota: Llwellyn Publications, 2000.

XII. Peschel, Lisa. A Practical Guide to The Runes. MN: Llewellyn Publications, 2002.

XIII. Sharman-Burke, Juliet and Greene, Liz. The Mythic Tarot. New York: Fireside, 1986.

XIV. Thomas, Keith. Religion and Decline of Magic. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1971.

XV. Salem Witch Museum Education. Information on the times of the Salem Witch Trials. September 2001.

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