Wicca is a religion with a long, rich history.  It is derived from very old pagan belief systems, and is often referred to as Neopaganism.  It is a duotheistic religion that celebrates both the feminine and masculine aspects of life and nature, as represented by the Goddess and the God.  Much of its foundation rests in the relationship between each of us and all other living things.  The forces of life and death, Moon and Earth, and seasonal change come together to afford us the potential to more strongly control our lives and the world around us.

Practitioners of Wicca are referred to by many names: Wiccans, Pagans, Witches, and others.  here's a tip: never use the term "warlock." Rather than referring to a male witch, it actually means "breaker of oaths."  Both male and female Wiccans may be referred to as witches.

There are religious and magickal aspects to Wicca, and no two witches are exactly alike in their beliefs and their practices.  There are many different Traditions in which witchcraft is practiced, and while many of the basic beliefs may be the same, the manner in which they are followed varies.  Many Solitary practitioners are "Eclectic," meaning they follow no particular tradition, but instead adopt the practices and rituals that seem to fit them best.  I would be considered an Eclectic Witch, as I have not chosen a particular tradition but instead take what seems appropriate for me from those that I study.

Wicca is not  "Satan worship" and Wiccans do not accept the concept of Satan or of Absolute Evil.  We also do not practice sacrifices, either animal, virginal, or any other sort.  The most basic belief underlying Wicca is to do harm to no one.  Stories of Satanic rites and animal sacrifices on halloween are the creation of extremists who seek to discredit Wicca as a religion on par with other faiths that have larger populations.

Also, despite what you may see in the movies, the practice of witchcraft does not entail flying around a room or turning someone into a newt.  While I know a couple of witches who can throw a fit, I have yet to meet one who can throw an object without physically picking it up!  Magickal rituals, such as the casting of spells, is a means of focusing your will and your energy to achieve a desired effect in your life.  It allows you to harness all of the energy available to you, drawing not only from yourself but also from the forces of nature.  Meditation, visualization, spell casting -- all of these are means of gathering the strength to accomplish something and focusing your energy upon your goal.  This power is available to everyone, but Wiccans learn the means to make use of it.
 
 

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.

We recognize that our intelligence gives us a unique responsibility toward our environment. We seek to live in harmony with Nature, in ecological balance offering fulfillment to life and consciousness within an evolutionary concept.

We acknowledge a depth of power far greater than 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.

We conceive of the Creative Power in the Universe as manifesting through polarity --- as masculine and feminine -- and that this same Creative Power lives 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 sexuality as pleasure, as the symbol and embodiment of Life, and as one of the sources of energies used in magickal practice and religious worship.

We recognize both outer worlds 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 magickal exercises. We neglect neither dimension for the other seeking both as necessary for our fulfillment.

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.

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 or the Wiccan Way.

Calling oneself "Witch" does not make a Witch --- but neither does heredity itself, or the collecting of titles, degrees, and initiations. A witch seeks to control the forces within him/herself that make life possible in order to live wisely and well, without harm to others, and in harmony with Nature.

We acknowledge that it is the affirmation and fulfillment of life, in a continuation of evolution and development of consciousness, that gives meaning to the Universe we know, and to our personal role in it.

Our only animosity toward Christianity, or toward any other religion or philosophy-of-life, is to the extent that its institutions have claimed to be "the one true right and only way" and have sought to deny freedom to others and to suppress other ways of religious practices and beliefs.

As American Witches, we are not threatened by debates on the history of the Craft, the origins of various terms, the legitimacy of various aspects of different traditions. We are concerned with our present, and our future.

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. We do not seek power through suffering of others, nor do we accept the concept that personal benefits can only be derived by denial to another.

We work within Nature for that which is contributory to our health and well-being.

Source: To Ride A Silver Broomstick by Silver Ravenwolf (1998)
 

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