Expert: Rev. Rowan Pendragon, HPS - 11/3/2009

Question
hey, I'm bree, im not wiccan, but my friend is. I was just hoping you could give me a brief description of what you believe. i dont want to be wiccan but I want to try to understand it.
thanks :)

Answer
Hi Bree,

Thanks for your question!  You know, to be honest, the best person to ask this question to is your friend.  While there are some standard beliefs within Wicca, everyone that follows it has their own way of practicing, their way of seeing things and their own overall take on the Craft.  Wicca is a bit different from religions like Christianity in that it doesn't have a specific set or rules, beliefs or practices that everyone must adhere to.  Because of that there is a lot of room for individual spiritual expression and exploration and everyone creates their own path as they go along.  The only place where this might be not so true is with people that are part of a coven practicing a specific tradition of Wicca, and again, you'd need to know what tradition they were practicing to know any specific details with regard to beliefs.  

However, in a nutshell, Wicca is an earth based spirituality that takes many of it's beliefs and practices from pre-Christian Europe.  Wiccans honor a God and Goddess rather than a single male God as it is believed that it takes both male and female creative energy in order to bring forth life.  The Goddess is represented by the moon and in the phases of the moon we see the three phases of the Goddess; the Goddess as the young Maiden in the waxing moon, the Goddess as the Mother in the full moon, and the Goddess as the Crone or Grandmother in the waning moon.  Each phase contains certain types of energy that can be used for aiding in ritual and spell work.  The God is represented by the sun and his energy and cycle is seen during the sun's journey throughout the year as it waxes and wanes with the seasons.  

Wiccans have 8 holidays during the year which coincide with the changing seasons and the cycles of birth, life, death and rebirth as seen not only in nature but in the myths of the Gods as well.  Most Wiccans also honor the 13 lunar dates marked by the full moons during the year.  These nights have the most powerful energy for magickal work, healing, prayer work and divination (what some might call fortune telling) during the month.  The Goddess is represented by the moon and in the phases of the moon we see the three phases of the Goddess; the Goddess as the young Maiden in the waxing moon, the Goddess as the Mother in the full moon, and the Goddess as the Crone or Grandmother in the waning moon.  Each phase contains certain types of energy that can be used for aiding in ritual and spell work.

Many Wiccans do practice the art of Witchcraft through spell work and ritual.  Spells are done under the rule of the Wiccan Rede which states "an it harm none, do what thou wilt".  This is also guided by another Wiccan law, The Three Fold Law, which states that all energy that you send out comes back to you three fold, or three times over.  Because of these two ethical laws Wiccans do not cast spells with the intention of causing harm to anyone.  Instead the spells that Wiccans work with deal with working out every day problems such as financial issues or dealing with difficult relationships, finding love, peace and happiness.  Many Wiccans also do a lot of work that focuses on healing, both for the mind and body, and they often will work this sort of magick for their friends and family as well as themselves.

Wiccans do not believe in heaven and hell, nor do they believe in Satan.  All of these are Christian concepts.  Wiccans believe in reincarnation and that we reap what we sow here in this life (again this is exhibited with the ethical laws discussed above).  Many Wiccans see the idea of Satan as being a scapegoat, an entity to pin things on when people don't want to be responsible for their actions, and hell as a way to scare people into doing and believing certain things.  Instead we do as we wish and if it brings harm or ill will to ourselves or others we see our punishment in this life rather than the next.

Above all else, Wicca is a religion.  It is a religion that teaches living in harmony with all life around us, whether it's plants and animals or other people.  Witchcraft is different from Wicca in that it is a magickal art and science and not all Wiccans find that they need to work with this, just like not all Witches feel drawn to the spiritual beliefs and views of Wicca.  

When it comes to what you specific friend beliefs it would be best to ask him/her directly but with an open mind and heart and a non-judgmental attitude.   Simply tell your friend that while you aren't Wiccan, you accept them for being Wiccan and wish it just better understand their beliefs.  By coming to your friend with questions that are open and honest and without looking like you're trying to make him/her uncomfortable, your friend will likely open up and share with you and answer your questions.

I hope this helps!  
If you have any other questions, please let me know!

Blessings,
)O(  Rowan
rowan@rowanpendragon.com
www.onewitchsway.com
www.rowanpendragon.com