Since the actual practice of Wicca varies so greatly, what Wicca is and what is means differs for everyone. However, certain basic beliefs do apply pretty much across the board. These are:

1. The Goddess and God are revered as the dual aspects of Spirit/Diety/Creator.
2. Human souls enjoy a series of incarnations inhuman form. Precisely how and why we incarnate several times is open to mystical speculation.
3. Power can be sent in non-physical form to affect the world in positive ways. Thus, we accept both the practice of magick and its effectiveness.
4. What is done will be returned to the doer (The Three-fold Law).
5. The Earth is our home, our Goddess. It's not a tool that we can ruthlessly abuse.
6. Wiccans aren't evangelical. We have no need to go out and spread the word. New Wiccans come to it out of personal desire, not by goading or guilt.
7. Wicca accepts that every religion is correct to its adherents. This doesn't mean that we like every representative of every religion, but ecumenicism must be the way of life.
8. Wicca accepts members from both sexes, from every race, national origin and, usually, every sexual preference.

The Three-fold Law

The three-fold law is simple: What you do comes back to you three times. If you do good, good will come back to you. If you do bad, you receive bad back. This law has been re-phrased over the centuries and in many different religions ("Do unto others" in Christianity, and the idea of "karma"). There is a reason for that--the law is the law. You cannot escape it. Unlike our judicial system, there is no reprieve.

Do you ever notice how sometimes things are "going your way?" Or maybe nothing is going your way? Think back...what action on your part could have set the law in motion? Respect the law; it isn't good or bad itself, merely a fact of the workings of the universe. If you send out negative energy, the "cosmic boomerang" will fling it right back to you, only stronger. Three times stronger, in fact. If you send out positive energy, expect strong positive energy in return.

What Wiccans do

Wiccans celebrate the changing seasons, the continual birth-death-rebirth cycle that is life on Earth. These are called sabbats. The moon is also a very powerful element, and full moons are also times of celebration.

Celebration is simply another word for ritual. Just like other religions gather in churches, synagogues, etc., Wiccans either perform rituals alone (solitares) or in groups (covens). Rituals can be done in the home, or better yet, outside among the nature we revere. Sacred space is created, the Goddess and God are invoked, and then the ritual proceeds. For more information on creating sacred space, invoking and the like, please pick up one of the excellent Wiccan books that I've recommended.

During rituals, Wiccans will often perform magick. The letter "k" is added to differentiate spiritual magick from Hollywood "magic". Magick is causing change by directing and focusing the energy/force that is us, is the earth, is Spirit. It is not "evil" or "bad" simply because we can't quanitify or document how it works; it is what it is, simply magick, and it does work. It can cause harm; however, those that practice "black" magick, harmful magick are not Wiccan.

Scott Cunningham, in another of his excellent books entitled Magical Herbalism, lists these "magical principles":

• Magick is natural.
• Harm none--including yourself--through its use.
• Magick requires effort. You will receive what you put into it.
• Magick is not usually instantaneous. It requires time to be effective.
• Magick should not be performed for pay.
• Magick should never be used for jest or to inflate your ego.
• Magick can be worked for your own gain, but only if it harms none.
• Magick is a divine act.
• Magick can be worked for defense but should never be used for attack.
• Magick is knowledge--not only of its way and laws, but also of its effectiveness. Do not believe that magick works: KNOW IT!
• Magick is love. All magick should be performed out of love. The moment hatred or anger tinges your magick you have crossed the border into a dangerous world, one that will ultimately consume you.

The Thirteen Goals of Wiccans

1. Know yourself.
2. Know your Craft.
3. Learn.
4. Apply knowledge with wisdom.
5. Achieve balance.
6. Keep your words in good order.
7. Keep your thoughts in good order.
8. Celebrate life.
9. Attune with the cycles of the Earth.
10. Breathe and eat correctly.
11. Exercise the body.
12. Meditate.
13. Honor the Goddess and God.

**Very important!!**

Wiccans DO NOT worship Satan. Satan is a Christian creation, and as such remains a part of Christian dogma, not Wiccan.

Wiccans DO NOT sacrifice anything or anyone. We worship all of creation; Spirit is in everyone and everything, and would never call upon us to do harm to anything.

Please do not perpetuate the stereotypes...visit these pages to understand and learn the truth:

More to come soon...;-)

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