Witchcraft... What it is and What it Isn't

Merry Meet Readers! My name is Lily Inanna Danu, and I am a Witch. I have been for many years. I do not worship the devil, I do not cast spells or evil curses on unsuspecting people, and I most certainly DO NOT sacrifice beautiful children and animals. I live my life in peace. Unfortunately, living it in a closet that I can never come out of. Hatred pours all around me, from all areas. It penetrates my skin and eats me up inside. Everywhere I look I see it in the eyes of my peers. It breaks me heart.

Everyone comes to me and tries to change me. They sit telling me how evil and horrible I am, even though I am polite and kind. I have tarnished my soul with my devilish ways. Why must I hear that? I am not Evil. I have love in my heart for everyone, no matter their race, no matter their religion. I understand that we are each different, all unique. We are the children of the Mother and Father. I would like to add that yes, there are times where "fanatics" bring themselves into the public eye, but that happens with EVERY religion. Whether Christian, Islamic, Hindu, there are those that take it way to far.

I see all these children walking around in their black clothes, wearing their Pentacles, thinking it is cool. But do they understand what the Pentacle means? What it represents? Most don't. Yes you do have that select few that find their way. But most of them are in it for the looks, because it is cool. They do not spend their days contemplating how to make the world a better place, or about caring for others.

The Pentacle, is a representation of the Craft. We wear it to remember where we came from, and who we are. It is a Star surrounded by a Circle. It stands for the five Elements that are a part of our world. Earth, Air, Fire, Water and Spirit are all represented by each point of the five armed star. The circle represent Infinity and all that is around us. It is the Lord and Lady. The Divine ones that are a part of me, and of you. The inverted Pentacle, where the top point is facing downward, is actually a symbol of Third Degree Training within the Craft Community. Unfortunately, Satanist and "Devil" worshippers have taken that loving symbol and bastardized it to represent their faith in not others, or in a God, but of themselves.

As I have said before, I am not a devil worshipper, because I DO NOT BELIEVE IN THE DEVIL. But I do study a very old religion, one that is beautiful and pure.. I worship the Earth Mother and Father Sun. I live for nature and all of Her glory. Paganism is an Earth-Based or Nature based religion because it holds the Earth and all of Nature within it heart. All are sacred.

The Divine nature of our wondrous Earth is recognized int he form of the Goddess by many names, among them, Gaia and the Great Mother. While todays Pagans and Wiccans carries with it many beliefs and practices of historical forms of the Craft, including many of their Gods and Goddesses, it is also VERY different. Many Witches believe that there is a single Divinity, who is the life of the universe, who is immanent in the world. The various names are seen not as truly separate individuals, but as facets, or faces, of something that is far beyond our ability to comprehend. Instead of trying to describe it, we approach the Divine through one of her MANY aspects. This is a new aspect of Paganism. Ancient Witches did not see all Goddesses as one Goddess; all Gods and one God and as such there are have more traditional approaches to Paganism and Witchcraft. We are starting to go back to our roots.

There are many mythological sources of Witchcraft and Paganism, including Celtic, Norse, Greek, Roman, Sumerian and others. There is probably no significant mythology or religious tradition that has not been used as a source by some group at some time. Some groups focus on one Tradition, others draw on several or many. All 'myths' are believed to carry some form of truth and those that are eclectic within the Craft borrow or adapt any part of any tradition to suit their individual needs. For example, lets take Doreen Valientes' The Charge of the Goddess', a widely used and widely loved inspirational text that has inspired many people since its publication. It is commonly used to invoke the Goddess within the circle, the sacred area where a Witch performs rituals, and begins with these words:

"Listen to the words of the Great Mother, who of old was called Artemis, Astarte, Dione, Melusine, Aphrodite, Cerridwen, Diana, Arionrhod, Brigid and by many other names."

It shows the true eclecticism that Paganism and Witchcraft carry.

I have given you a small insight into what Paganism and Witchcraft is. Only a small amount. It is up to you to follow the path that I have shown to you, but I would like to ask for one small thing.

Before you begin to disown your daughter because you found a book about Witchcraft, or beat your son because of the pentacle that you found in his pocket, ask yourself this.

"What should I know about this religion before I handle this situation?" Study it before you jump into how wrong and evil it is. Do not jump the gun and start belittling them. That is disrespectful to not only them, but to yourself. Do not start a shouting match. If you need to, take a breather, a moment to calm down, and then explain to them what you are upset about. Let them tell you about their beliefs, let them share with you. Learn together. Not only will you get greater respect, but they will also find it refreshing to know that you are trying to understand them. In the end, they will share more with you, you you will both be better for it.
I truly believe that if you sit down, and really learn about it, even if you do not think it is right, you will have a broader horizon, through knowledge.

Blessed Be to you and yours!