Witchcraft is also an umbrella term , but for people that use a set grouping of skills. These skills involve the understanding of the spirits in nature. One such name used in this umbrella is "shaman". The Dictionary defines shaman as:A member of certain traditional societies, especially of northern Asia and of North and South America, who acts as a medium between the visible world and an invisible spirit world and who practices magic or sorcery for purposes of healing, divination, and control over natural events. In villages there were people calling "Cunning folk", which is defined as: Folk healers, in England also known as cunning folk or (more rarely) as white witches are practitioners of folk medicine, folk magic, and divination within the context of the various traditions of folklore in Christian Europe
Under these definitions , witchcraft is a skill or profession. A person can be of any belief system and be a person that performs some of the various forms of witchcraft. Tis should be a very simple concept to understand, but alas it is not. Under the pagan umbrella of belief systems is 'wicca', a very modern form of Paganism with a high focus on witchcraft. "Wicca" literally does mean witch. So there are large volumes of people that classify themselves as "witches" because of wicca, but have a rather limited view of witchcraft due to their limited views created with Wicca. Thus there is this massive grey area created between belief system Wicca (witch) and the Skill/profession witch. Magick is using energy to cause subtle change, there are rules to this magick just like every other skill we have. How it is done varies based on the individuals desires and ethics.
The difference has to be established early and with some vigor. Take away magic and what do you have left in your beliefs? If you remove the concepts and rules of magick and you have nothing left, you are a witch of skill with undefined beliefs. But if you remove witchcraft and you have a practice of earth worship and honoring life, then you are a pagan and a witch. If you call yourself a Wiccan , but by removing the use of magick from it, you have nothing left, you are a witch of skill and not a pagan of belief. honestly Witchcraft is not limited to pagans, you can be any religion and be a witch. Thus just because you cast a circle, doesn't mean you are a pagan.
So what are the principles of belief. Back in 1974 , a group of pagans got together and worked out a rough list of principles of wiccan/pagan beliefs. Here are those 13 principles....
1. We practice rites to attune ourselves with the natural rhythm 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 unique responsibility towards our environment. We seek to live in harmony with Nature, in ecological balance offering fulfillment to life and consciousness within an evolutionary concept.
3. We acknowledge a depth of power far greater than that is 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 lies in all people, and functions through the interaction of the masculine and feminine. We value neither above the other, knowing each to be supportive 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. 2
5. We recognize both outer and inner, or psychological, worlds -- sometimes known as the Spiritual World, the Collective Unconscious, 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 world view 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, nor the collecting of titles, degrees and initiations. A Witch seeks to control the forces within her/himself that make life possible in order to live wisely and well without harm to others and in harmony with Nature. 3
9. We believe in the affirmation and fulfillment of life in a continuation of evolution and development of consciousness, that gives meaning to the Universe we know, and our personal role within it.
10. Our only animosity towards 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 American Witches, we are not threatened by debates on the history of the Craft, the origins of various terms, 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 Christian tradition. 4 We do not seek power through the suffering of others, nor do we accept that personal benefit can be derived only by denial to another.
13. We believe that we should seek within Nature that which is contributory to our health and well-being.
2. We recognize that our intelligence gives us a unique responsibility towards our environment. We seek to live in harmony with Nature, in ecological balance offering fulfillment to life and consciousness within an evolutionary concept.
3. We acknowledge a depth of power far greater than that is 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 lies in all people, and functions through the interaction of the masculine and feminine. We value neither above the other, knowing each to be supportive 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. 2
5. We recognize both outer and inner, or psychological, worlds -- sometimes known as the Spiritual World, the Collective Unconscious, 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 world view 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, nor the collecting of titles, degrees and initiations. A Witch seeks to control the forces within her/himself that make life possible in order to live wisely and well without harm to others and in harmony with Nature. 3
9. We believe in the affirmation and fulfillment of life in a continuation of evolution and development of consciousness, that gives meaning to the Universe we know, and our personal role within it.
10. Our only animosity towards 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 American Witches, we are not threatened by debates on the history of the Craft, the origins of various terms, 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 Christian tradition. 4 We do not seek power through the suffering of others, nor do we accept that personal benefit can be derived only by denial to another.
13. We believe that we should seek within Nature that which is contributory to our health and well-being.
I love the 13 principles because they talk about ethics, philosophy, responsibility, and harmony. It didn't mention about casting a circle on every full moon. It talks about other realms, but not how to visit these realms. Paganism is the belief system in understanding the world and universe around us in many different perspectives. But #8 is important because it state, calling yourself a witch doesn't make you a witch. Time, commitment, practicing, and learning are the 4 pillars in making a person a witch.
SO I have to ask you this important question. What is the definition of witch and pagan that you are using? Are you a witch because you declared it after reading a book by Silver Ravenwolf? Paganism goes beyond magick, it gives you a picture of the world and the ways we should interact with it. Paganism should give you inspiration to live your life better , and not just for yourself, but the world around you.
Paganism should help you learn how to live every day of the year. Not the focus on the 8 days of the sabbats. Paganism is not the focus of divination with Tarot decks. Divination is a skill and used to see a possibility in the future. Thus divination can be a part of you, but it is not a core part of paganism because Christians can use a tarot deck. And also a simple fact that they were adapted playing cards from years gone by.
So for me, Paganism is a belief system that shows me how to find my place in the world and fit in to do the best that I can do. I want to make the world a better place for me and those around me. I learned to work with others with similar goals to achieve even better things. Through the history and thus a part of Paganism, I understand that it can be hostile and thus I sometimes have to fight and do what is needed to protect what is worth protecting. Harmony doesn't mean at peace. Harmony is working with all the waves in life to create a productive future. Think about Beethoven's Famous 5th symphony ... "Dunt Dunt Dunt Daaaaa" Well that is a harmony. sharp , strong, and loud, but still a harmony that builds a beautiful piece of music. I am a small cog in a larger machine called life, when I am in the right spot, I make everything run smoother and better.
So do you classify witchcraft with being a Pagan? Is it because you can't be a Christian and cast a circle? Prayer is a form of magic. When you prey , you are collecting , focusing and shaping energy, which is what witchcraft is. Those rosary beads are magical tools. Communion is a ritual performed for spiritual growth, just like casting a circle. DO you ever notice that only older men are called 'brothers', and that there are church elders. Well that is just like the magical covens ranks systems.
Wicca might mean witch in old English, we no longer speak olde English on daily conversations. The Brits might call a Flashlight, a torch, but we understand the differences in the words meaning due to distance. Why can't others look past the old English version and remember that speak modern English. Words lose and change means over time and distance. So an American "flashlight" doesn't change its composition because one group calls it a 'torch'.
I do pray when I feel the need to. I also use what's available in nature to keep my health on the up and up. I have also taught some others about some herbs and what they can help with. Does that make me a witch? Who knows? I just do what I can is all I can say. Does it make me feel good to do it? Yes it does. Does it help others in the long run? Yes it does. But I always leave it up to them to follow my advice. I just pose it as a suggestion when I see the need arise.
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