Witchcraft is a concept that has existed for centuries, emerging from different cultures and societies around the world. It encompasses a wide range of practices and beliefs, but there are some common tenets that can be found across various witchcraft traditions. These tenets provide a framework for understanding the principles that underpin the practice of witchcraft. One of the main tenets of witchcraft is the belief in the power of nature. Witches often see themselves as being deeply connected to the earth and its natural cycles. They believe that nature is a source of wisdom and power, and that by aligning themselves with its energies, they can tap into a deeper understanding of the world and the forces that shape it.
One issue that is often a bone of contention in the Pagan community is that we don’t have a universal set of guidelines – some of us may not even identify as Pagans, but as witches or something else. There have been repeated attempts to unify the various branches of the Pagan community, but in general, these are unsuccessful because we’re so diverse and varied in our beliefs and practices.
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. Coupled with the Three-Fold Law - which states that every action good or bad returns to the person three-fold - the Rede guides the actions of Wicca practitioners.
They believe that nature is a source of wisdom and power, and that by aligning themselves with its energies, they can tap into a deeper understanding of the world and the forces that shape it. Another key tenet of witchcraft is the belief in personal power and agency. Witches believe that they have the ability to shape their own destinies and influence the world around them through their thoughts, actions, and intentions.
Tenets of witchcraft
The Old Religion: Websites on Wicca
Celebration of nature is central to the practice of Wicca, a contemporary religion that reconstructs pre-Christian religions of Europe and combines them with the modern sensibilities of self-improvement and creativity. Often referred to as The Old Religion, Wicca is a life-affirming, polytheistic religion that borrows from many traditions, and one may find a number of diverse influences in the practice of Wicca, including New Age philosophies, Buddhist, Hindu, Native American, Christian, and other traditions. The central beliefs in Wicca are gender equality, reverence for nature, and a creative sense of the Divine that manifests itself as God and Goddess. There are no scriptures and laws in Wicca other than a guiding principle called The Wiccan Rede.
The Rede is "An it harm none, do what ye will," which implies both freedom and responsibility. Coupled with the Three-Fold Law - which states that every action good or bad returns to the person three-fold - the Rede guides the actions of Wicca practitioners.
There are as many traditions and practices of Wicca as there are Wiccans. The absence of scriptures and proscribed behavior creates a wildly diverse spiritual community that actively disavows codification. The term "witch" is also used for Wicca. Many Wiccans use witch and witchcraft interchangeably with Wicca, and others make distinctions between the practice of Wicca and the practice of witchcraft. Many Wiccans disavow the word witch because of the historical witch-hunts and the ugly old witch of Halloween. One of the more unfortunate things that Wiccans must do when explaining their religion and spirituality is to define what they are not , meaning that they must explain they are not Satanists, devil-worshipers, or baby-killers.
GENERAL RELIGION WEBSITES
Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance
URL: http://www.religioustolerance.org
Developed and Maintained by: Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance, self-described as 2 Unitarian-Universalists, 1 Wiccan and 1 unaffiliated Christian
Last updated: 1997. [Editor's note: Site updated daily, per email from Bruce Robinson of the organization, 11/6/2005.]
A SourceBook for Earth's Community of Religions
URL: http://www.silcom.com/~origin/csb2.html
Developed and maintained by : Joel Beversluis
Last updated:
These two websites contain information about all of the world's religions, including Wicca and the neo-pagan movement. Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance provides a well-organized, graphically pleasing website with articles on all religions. The article on Witchcraft and Wicca is divided into several parts including history, beliefs, practices, and questions. (Ancillary to this, the article on Satanism provides clear information on that religion, avoiding sensationalism.) All articles have very good bibliographies, using both print and Web resources.
A SourceBook for the Earth's Community of Religions provides entries on all religions, written by practitioners of those spiritual practices. The author of the article on Wicca is a prominent member of the Wiccan Community, past president of the Covenant of the Goddess, and her article is well-written and informative. There is contact information at the end of the article, but the listing is very small and does not reflect the diversity of Wiccan practice.
WEBSITES ON WICCA
Arachne's Web
URL: http://www.cascade.net/arachne.html
Developed and Maintained by: Carrie Carolin
Last updated: 1988.
COGWEB: The Covenant of the Goddess
URL: http://www.cog.org
Developed and Maintained by: The CoG organization
Last updated: ??
The Witches' Voice: A News and Education Network
URL: http://www.witchvox.com
Developed and Maintained by: Wren Walker and Fritz Jung
Last updated: November 1998
Arachne's Web is a resource site, providing over nine hundred links to web pages on a variety of neo-pagan and wiccan issues. It is a simple, well-organized page that divides the information into clear categories, including Druids, Webrings & Other Information, Wicca Information and Education, Wiccan Personal Pages, Goddesses & Gods, Myths & Mythology, Holidays, Magick, and other topics. The page is well-maintained, with the links working effectively. Some of the links have a "recommended" note, but otherwise the websites linked to this page are not evaluated. The site is a very useful link to the diversity of the online Wiccan community.
The Covenant of the Goddess (CoG) is one of the oldest Wiccan organizations in North America. CoG is "an international organization of cooperating, autonomous Wiccan congregations and solo practitioners." The web page is easy to navigate and divided into six parts: What's new; Information about CoG; Special Projects; CoG Local Councils and Activities; About Our Religion; and Other Organizations. The section "About Our Religion" provides very good essays on basic beliefs, frequently asked questions (FAQ), general practices, holidays, and a selective bibliography. The FAQ, in particular, is very well done and informative. The bibliography is a good selection of the most influential books about Wicca.
The Witches' Voice is a very comprehensive web page with a much-needed site map. The page is designed to be a networking and education website for practitioners, with a great deal of information, well-written and well-researched. There is information on issues facing Wiccans, such as discrimination, child custody, religious education for teens, integrity, and more. A networking page lists groups, individuals, and shops by state. Another page offers a series of lesson plans for teachers. There's information for newcomers to the religion, as well as information for more experienced practitioners. All the links work effectively on the very well-organized links page. A White Page section carries sample press releases on a variety of issues including Wiccan awareness, child custody, and teens in Wicca. Some of the design and color choices make reading and printing a problem. Nevertheless, this is an extraordinary collection of information.
Naturally, this short review provides only a beginning introduction to web-based information on Wicca. The websites mentioned give an informative view of Wicca with links to many other places for information and networking.
[ Gail Wood is the Director of Libraries at the State University of New York College at Cortland, located in Central New York. Her spiritual journey has included fundamental Christianity, goddess spirituality, and Wicca. She has been a practitioner and priestess of Wicca for fifteen years. ]
FEMINIST COLLECTIONS is published by the
University of Wisconsin System Women's Studies Librarian
430 Memorial Library, 728 State Street, Madison, WI 53706
(608) 263-5754
FEMINIST COLLECTIONS' copyright is held by the Regents of the University of Wisconsin System.
Single issues of FEMINIST COLLECTIONS may be purchased for $3.50 (plus postal charges for non-U.S. requests--inquire about rates). Please send a check made payable to University of Wisconsin-Madison to Women's Studies Librarian's Office, 430 Memorial Library, 728 State Street, Madison, WI 53706
Mounted March 22, 1999.
Celebration of nature is central to the practice of Wicca, a contemporary religion that reconstructs pre-Christian religions of Europe and combines them with the modern sensibilities of self-improvement and creativity. Often referred to as The Old Religion, Wicca is a life-affirming, polytheistic religion that borrows from many traditions, and one may find a number of diverse influences in the practice of Wicca, including New Age philosophies, Buddhist, Hindu, Native American, Christian, and other traditions. The central beliefs in Wicca are gender equality, reverence for nature, and a creative sense of the Divine that manifests itself as God and Goddess. There are no scriptures and laws in Wicca other than a guiding principle called The Wiccan Rede.
They see themselves as active participants in their own lives, rather than passive recipients of fate. Many witches also embrace the principle of harm none. This tenet emphasizes the importance of acting in alignment with ethical principles and not causing harm to oneself or others. Witches seek to use their power and knowledge for positive purposes, such as healing, protection, and personal growth. The tenet of interconnectedness is also central to witchcraft. Witches believe that everything in the universe is connected and that there is a web of energy that binds all things together. They see themselves as part of this web and understand that their actions have ripple effects that can impact the world around them. Furthermore, witches often view spirituality as a personal and individual journey. They believe that each person is responsible for their own spiritual growth and that there is no one right way to practice witchcraft. This tenet emphasizes the importance of autonomy and self-discovery in the pursuit of spiritual truth. In summary, the tenets of witchcraft include a belief in the power of nature, personal agency, harm none, interconnectedness, and individual spirituality. These tenets provide a foundation for understanding the core principles of witchcraft and guide practitioners in their spiritual journey..
Reviews for "The Role of Crystals and Stones in Witchcraft: Understanding the Tenets of Crystal Magic"
1. John - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with "Tenets of Witchcraft". I was hoping for a more in-depth exploration of the topic, but instead, it felt superficial and lacking substance. The author did not provide any original insights or perspectives, and it felt like a rehash of basic information that can be found in any introductory book on witchcraft. Overall, I found it to be quite underwhelming and would not recommend it to anyone looking for a more comprehensive understanding of witchcraft.
2. Sarah - 1/5 - "Tenets of Witchcraft" was a complete letdown. The writing was poorly executed, with numerous grammar and spelling mistakes throughout the book. It was evident that there was a lack of editing and proofreading, which made it difficult for me to take the content seriously. Moreover, the author's arguments and explanations were weak and unsubstantiated, leaving me with more questions than answers. I would advise against wasting your time and money on this book if you are seeking a well-researched and insightful exploration of witchcraft.
3. Emily - 2/5 - I was highly disappointed by "Tenets of Witchcraft". The book promised to delve into the core principles of witchcraft, but it failed to deliver. The author's writing style was dry and lacked any sort of personal touch, making it difficult to engage with the material. Additionally, the book lacked depth and failed to provide any practical applications or guidance for those wanting to explore witchcraft. Overall, I found it to be a shallow and unfulfilling read that I cannot recommend to anyone genuinely interested in the subject.
4. Michael - 3/5 - While "Tenets of Witchcraft" had its moments, I found it to be quite repetitive. The author seemed to reiterate the same concepts throughout the book without adding anything new or thought-provoking. It felt like I was reading the same information over and over again, making the reading experience monotonous. Although the book provided a good introduction to the basic concepts of witchcraft, I was hoping for more depth and exploration. If you're completely new to the topic, it might be worth a read, but otherwise, I would recommend looking for something more substantial.