What is Witchcraft … things you need to know about the craft

The term Witch is derived from the latin word Wicce, which means to bend or shape.  Witches bend and shape energy to manifest their desires.   The term witch is unisex.  The term warlock was created by pop culture and isn’t used within witchcraft circles.

Witches work with the energy that flows through all living things.  We respect the earth, the moon, animals and the forces of nature.  We are in tune with our inner wisdom and we use that wisdom to undertake divination and cast spells.

Witchcraft is not new.  There have been witches for centuries and most of our practices are based on those of our pagan ancestors.

Witchcraft is not a religion.  Wicca is a religion that usually includes the practice of witchcraft in group settings, known as a coven.    Covens perform spells and rituals together and meet regularly throughout the year to honour the eight sabbats.

Depending on your personal choices you may or may not observe the eight sabbats even if you are not in a coven:

• Samhain
• Yule
• Imbolc
• Ostara
• Beltane
• Litha
• Lughnasadh
• Mabon

Witchcraft is not devil worship nor are witches ‘evil’

That’s not to say that all witches are ‘white witches’ like the good with Glinda in the Wizzard of Oz either.  I was once told that most witches are grey, rather than black or white.  Because each of us has a light side and a shadow side and the two sides meet somewhere in the middle, in the grey.  That explanation has stuck with me and I definitely fall into the grey because I’m not capable of being all ‘love and light’ every bloody day!  We all slip into our shadow selves and it’s important to know your shadow self and what she’s capable of.

Essentially being a witch means that you are in touch with your inner wisdom and the universe we live in.  You understand that an energy or life force flows through all living things and that we are all connected.  You understand that this energy can be shaped and encouraged to flow in certain ways but that it cannot be removed or substantially altered.

Witches cast spells, perform rituals in the moonlight and commune with nature.

When you become a witch you become a wise woman, taking control of her life and stepping into her power.