Wicca and Witchcraft
Over the next few weeks, I’ll be delving into some of the witchy wonders of the world from ancient to modern times, including all the misconceptions about those who carry the name of Witch and the horrendous witch trials that took place in America and here in the UK.
I’m gonna get a little more personal this week, because this topic is very close to my heart. As I’ve mentioned before, I’m a Pagan witch. I do not practice my craft as part of a coven and I’m what’s known as a solitary witch. Because I don’t adhere to any singular way, I’m also known as an Eclectic Witch. My main speciality is healing, but tarot, psychometry, mediumship, chakra realignment and elemental magic are other things I work with with.
What is Wicca?
Wicca is said to be a modern-day Pagan religion based in nature, but that isn’t completely correct. For some, it's a religion in which the Gods are worshiped like any other deity and the Wiccan Rede is followed to the letter. For others (like myself) it’s more a way of life and a path I’ve chosen to travel. I believe in the Gods, both male and female, but don’t worship them. I honour them and work with them, sometimes asking for their help and guidance, but no more or less than I would a close friend. I only follow one rule which consists of 8 words:
"An' ye harm none, do what ye will"
Witchcraft has been around for tens of thousands of years and magic itself had been around since the dawn of time. It’s essence is in everything, vibrating at different frequencies that hum their own special tune, but when some people think of magic, their brains often go to one of a few places: Sabrina, evil, not real and “you’re crazy, here’s the number for the funny farm”. I’ve had it all thrown at me!
The magic portrayed in various TV shows, books and movies is, more often than not, extremely inaccurate and highly fantasised. It’s also not evil! Magic is all about the energies around us and working with it, harnessing it with your intentions powering it. If your intent is to do good or bad, that’s on the individual. People can do great good or great evil, that’s what changes the magic. I don’t believe in “good” magic or “evil” magic. I believe in good and evil humans. The energies of the world around us are pure and beautiful to connect with, bringing peace to our very souls.
The Gods
There are many Gods within the Wiccan belief system and have been adopted from various cultures from around the world. Not every Wiccan believes in all of them and some don’t believe in any. Below is a list of just some of the Gods within Wicca.
Celtic
Goddesses: Morrigan, Danu, Brigid, Ceridwen.
Gods: Dagda, Lugh, Cernunnos, Herne.
Greek
Goddesses: Gaia, Hera, Aphrodite, Artemis, Athena.
Gods: Ouranos, Zeus, Poseidon, Hades
Roman
Goddesses: Junos, Minerva, Venus, Diana.
Gods: Jupiter, Neptune, Bacchus.
Egyptian
Goddesses: Isis, Sekhmet, Bastet.
Gods: Osiris, Horus, Seth, Anubis.
Symbols within Wicca and Witchcraft
The two symbols that are most commonly recognised is the Pentagram and the Triple Goddess. They’re powerful symbols within Wicca and beautiful in their designs. I have both tattooed on me and my Triple Goddess even has its own Pentagram in the centre, with those 8 lil words:
The Triple Goddess represents Mother, Maiden, Crone and consists of a full moon with a crescent either side. Although it represents the separate stages of the female life cycle, it also represents the phases of the moon and the realms of the Heavens, Earth and Underworld.
The pentagram is a symbol of shielding and is innately good. It contains five elements: Spirit, Water, Fire, Earth, Air. It is used in many rituals and worn as a talisman for protection. At some point in history, it was deemed as evil, especially when inverted and is often seen as the sign of the Devil. Tis a load of crap and it shocks me that some people still have those views today.
There are many more symbols, but we’ll get to that over the next few weeks.
Which witch are you?
There are all different kinds of witches, who practice their craft in certain ways or, like me, just follow their own unique path. My path is mainly of healing, ditziness, manifestation, shouting at Mother nature, sweet talking Mother nature, crystal and weather magic. Basically, I’m just all over the place! But tis all good and we all travel our own path. If you’re not sure what kind of witch you are, maybe this will help you work it out:
Coven-Based Witch
A witch who's part of a wider group of witches that might led by a high priestess/priest, who combine and use their collective magic to create stronger spells and manifest outcomes for the group and beyond. Covens mainly focus on ceremonial and ritualistic magic.
Solitary Witch
A witch who works alone rather than with a group of other witches. A solitary witch can follow one particular branch of witchcraft or a combination.
Hereditary Witch
Just like the name sounds, a hereditary witch is someone who inherited their magic or practice through their family line.
Crystal Witch
Crystal witches are deeply connected to the vibration and power of crystals, gems, rocks, and stones, and they practice crystal magic to manifest, amplify, and attract energy. If you see auras, feel energies, love and possibly hoard shiny things, then you could be a crystal witch.
Cosmic Witch
The stargazers! Cosmic witches are all about astrology and astronomy and focus on the lunar energies of the Moon cycle and spells that amplify or protect against celestial goings on. They’re very into star signs and birth charts, often been able to know what sign you are after knowing you for just a short time. If you feel drawn to the Heavens and enjoy the complex mysteries and workings of the cosmos, you could be a cosmic witch.
Green Witch
These individuals are all about nature, healing, and nurturing. They draw their power, tools, and rituals from the earth and the great outdoors, using plants, flowers, and herbs as the primary source of spell and ritual content. Green witches respect nature above all else (although many other types of witches work with nature too! Including yours truly). If you feel drawn to the natural world, have a gift for healing and soothing, and enjoy gardening and tending to plants and herbs, you could be a green witch.
Hedge Witch
Similar to a green witch but not as solely focused on nature. A hedge witch works alone and doesn’t adhere to any strict set of rules; religious, spiritual, or otherwise. Hedge witches develop their own kind of magic, focusing primarily on creating healing remedies, often working with the elements and nature. Everything is kept simple and basic, with all rituals having no fussiness, bells or whistles and very minimalist. If you are drawn to solitude and wish to craft your own brand of witchcraft, unique to you, then you might be a hedge witch!
Gray Witch
Gray witches straddle the divide between, what is believed by some to be, “white” and “black” magic, using whatever suits the situation. They’ll use curses and hexes when the situation calls for it, but many witches will not go there as witchcraft typically follows a good natured path. Gray witches typically seek justice and the correction of unfair circumstances, redirecting negative energy to where it should have gone in the first place. They will often call on the unseen spirit presences to help them. If you are drawn to the darker arts or feel you’re fighting a greater evil in the world, maybe you’re a Gray witch.
Eclectic Witch
Eclectic witches tend to cherry-pick whatever practices, rituals, beliefs, or ideas feel natural and good to them in the moment. After all, witchcraft is a very personal and unique pursuit. If you don’t want to be tied down to any one practice or area, maybe you’re an eclectic witch. Many baby witches begin as eclectic witches, but many stay that way too!
Folk Witch
A folk witch practices folk magic passed down through their family or through their local community, often focusing on the history and origin of a practice.
Kitchen Witch
As the name suggests, a kitchen witch focuses on the kitchen! They incorporate magic into cooking and baking and might choose herbs for their magical properties just as much as for their flavour. Kitchen witches might prepare meals for specific holidays, purposes, or rituals to share with their community or coven.
Hearth/House Witch
These Witches focuses on the home and might also be a kitchen witch and/or a green witch. Hearth/House witchery often involves focusing on objects and rituals used around the home, like herbalism, candle magic, and focuses on making their house a magical space. Think: cooking, cleaning, and performing homey rituals. Whether you prefer to be called a hearth witch or a house witch, or both, tis up to you!
Sea Witch
Sea witches have a special connection to the ocean and water in general. They might practice water magic, use seawater in their rituals, bring seashells home for their altar, and pay special attention to the Moon, with it controlling the tides.
Well, my darlings, I hope this intro to witchiness (my spellcheck says that isn’t a word, but it is now) has been enlightening and informative! I hope you will continue on this journey with me. Catch you all next week.
Love and light to you all.
Blessed be xxx