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Common Misconceptions
About Witchcraft
art and
text by Amber S.
1) Witches are evil.
In truth, witches are not evil at all.
Wiccans believe in living in harmony with nature as well as with people. Most
witches commit their lives to helping others and becoming better people. True,
there are other witches in the world who do evil deeds. Usually, these are young
people who have seen too many movies or read too many books. The law of Wicca is
to harm none and do as you will. Witches should not be punished just because
there are evil people in the world, just as all Christians are not evil just
because a few Evangelican priests fake healings to make millions or rape young
boys. You cannot judge others by only one example.
2) Witches worship the Devil.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
Wiccans do not believe in the Devil. That is a Christian belief. Our God does
have horns (or antlers) and the feet of a stag and is the lord of the underworld
which may be why Christians fear him so. During the burning times, when
Witchcraft was viewed as evil, the Christians believed the gods of the pagan
religions to be evil. Many pagans believe that the modern depiction of the devil
- with horns and goat feet - may have come from the ancient Greek god, Pan, who
was a popular god among the poorer country people at the time. The Wiccan God is not evil, however, but just
as loving as the Christian God. He is merely an aspect of maleness, not of
evil. Wiccans also do not believe in Hell or any torturous place where the evil
are eternally punished. Witches believe that punishment comes to you during your
life. Punishment is a means of teaching a lesson when you have done wrong.
We believe that eternal punishment teaches nothing and accomplishes nothing.
3) Witches sacrifice (insert animal or
person here).
Another idea that could not be further from the truth. Witches,
as I have said, believe in "harming none". None means NONE. In fact, many
witches are vegetarians. Some take it to the extreme and will not even purchase
products made from animals such as some make-ups, leather, and food products.
4) Witches have black cats that are
their familiars.
There is some truth in this belief.
Witches do have familiars which are more like spirit animals. A familiar is an
animal that a person feels close to. It may be a pet or just a favorite type of
animal. It may live with the person of just exist in their mind. The familiar
or totem animal is a symbol of a person's way of life. They may aid in spellwork
or just serve to teach a lesson. Many people have them for certain purposes. For
example, a wolf may symbolize wisdom and strength while an eagle may symbolize
vision and freedom. Just as easily, a cat can symbolize fidelity or cleanliness.
Cats also can help by ridding the house of unwanted spirits and energies as well
as making wonderful companions.
5) Witches ride on brooms.
Witches cannot fly or ride on broomsticks
through the sky. This silly belief may stem from some of the traditional rites
that have been practiced throughout history. In one example, maidens were
welcomed into adulthood through a rite of passage that involved sitting on a
broomstick on the ground (a symbol of fertility and cleanliness) while
meditating or performing astral travel (vision questing) which can feel much
like flying. Broomsticks are also used in rites of marriage where the couple
jumps over the broomstick (more fertility) during the ceremony to seal their
vows. Before the burning times, some European cultures practiced a fertility
ritual in which the maidens of the village leapt over a bonfire with a
broomstick between their legs. This is likely what created the popular image of
witches flying on their brooms.
6) Witches are ugly.
I can laugh at this as many of the most
beautiful people that I have ever seen are witches. Anyone can be a witch,
regardless of their looks, beliefs, attitudes, lifestyles or background.
Witchcraft is a state of mind, not of body.
7) You can tell someone is a witch
because they wear all black.
Another silly belief. Many goths wear all
black and are not witches. I have known many Christians who chose to wear black.
Most witches that I have seen or met, however, do not usually wear black. Witches
are fond of many colors. While my favorite color is black (it's so wonderful. it
matches EVERYTHING), I wear very little of it. Most of my wardrobe is comprised of blue, green, and
brown.
8) Witches have to be born witches.
Most witches are not born witches. There
are such things as natural witches, but in order to be a natural witch you must
be born into witchcraft AND learn it from a family member. People who are born
with special talents such as clairvoyancy and other forms of telepathy are not
witches. They are merely talents. Not all witches have these special abilities,
though some spend their entire lives trying to develop them. Most witches come
into the craft at a certain point in their life and spend years studying and
practicing to become witches.
9) The bible says that we must kill all
witches.
A clip
from the book of Exodus states , "Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live". This
quote, alone, sealed the fate for many of the accused as well as the true
followers of the old ways. However, this is a false translation. What has been
translated as "witch" comes from the Hebrew chaspah, a "poisoner" or murderer.
The verse can be reinterpreted to mean not to tolerate people who poison--or
murderers. This is very different from condoning the brutal murder of witches.
Regardless, the witch hunters were able to claim the backing of God in their
tasks, and the support of towns folk that would not question their methods.
(Attn: I have heard this strictly argued that the word chaspah means "poisoner"
and I have also now heard it very strongly argued that it does not. Because I
cannot read Hebrew myself, I leave this up to the reader's discretion.)
_________________________
Pagan Myths
Debunked
_________________________
Below are links to websites that deal harshly with the Craft.
They choose to use lies and false accusations to promote hatred against the
craft.
Perhaps someone knows what can be done about this:
http://www.forerunner.com/champion/X0038.html
http://www.exposingsatanism.org/
http://www.exposingsatanism.org/signsymbols.htm
http://demonbuster.com
The Cult: Nature
Worship
Wicca/Pagan Hellbound
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