TYPE 4

Witchcraft - Basic Philosophy

Wicca, or Witchcraft, is an earth religion -- a re-linking (re-ligio)

with the life-force of nature, both on this planet and in the stars

and space beyond. In city apartments, in suburban backyards, in

country glades, groups of women and men meet on the new and full moons

and at festival times to raise energy and put themselves in tune with

these natural forces. They honor the old Goddesses and Gods,

including the Triple Goddess of the waxing, full, and waning moon, and

the Horned God of the sun and animal life, as visualizations of

immanent nature.

Our religion is not a series of precepts or beliefs, rather we believe

that we each have within ourselves the capacity to reach out and

experience the mystery -- that feeling of ineffable oneness with all

Life. Those who wish to experience this transcendence must work, and

create, and participate in their individual religious lives. For this

reason, our congregations, called covens, are small groups which give

room for each individual to contribute to the efforts of the group by

self-knowledge and creative experimentation within the agreed-upon

group structure or tradition.

There are many traditions or sects within the Craft. Different groups

take their inspiration from the pre-Christian religions of certain

ethnic groups (e.g. Celtic, Greek, Norse, Finno-Ugric); in the

liturgical works of some modern Witch poet or scholar (e.g. Gerald

Gardner, Z Budapest, Alex Sanders, Starhawk); or by seeking within

themselves for inspiration and direction. Many feminists have turned

to Wicca and the role of priestess for healing and strength after the

patriarchal oppression and lack of voice for women in the major world

religions.

There are many paths to spiritual growth. Wicca is a participatory

revelation, a celebratory action leading to greater understanding of

oneself and the universe. We believe there is much to learn by

studying our past, through myth, through ritual drama, through poetry

and music, through love and through living in harmony with the Earth.