Ten Facs You Need To Know About Paganism And Wicca

There's a lot of information out there on Wicca and
Paganism, in books, on the Internet, and through local

in your best interest to make your religious beliefs known,
and that's okay too. If you feel you could be in danger if

groups. But how much of it is accurate? How do you learn to
separate the wheat from the chaff? The fact is, there are

you reveal that you are Wiccan, or that it might put a
strain on family relations, going public might be something

several basic things you should understand about Wicca and
Paganism before you make the decision to join a new

you should postpone. Get all the pros and cons on coming out
of the broom closet.

spiritual path. Let's eliminate some of the misconceptions
and talk about actual facts... it will make your spiritual

6. Wiccans and Pagans Are Not Satanists Ask any Pagan or

journey all the more valuable if you understand these issues
from the begining.

Wiccan about the cornerstone of their faith, and they'll
probably tell you it's a reverence for their ancestors, a

1. Yes, Even Wicca Has Rules Sure, a lot of people think
that just because there's no Grand High Wiccan and Pagan

belief in the sacredness of nature, a willingness to embrace
the Divine within ourselves, or an acceptance of polarity

Council that there must be all kinds of magical carnage
going on. Truth is, there are some fairly standard

between the male and female. It may be a combination of
those principles. It will not have anything to do with the

guidelines followed by a number of different Pagan
traditions. While they vary from one group to the next, it's

Satan, Old Scratch, Beelzebub, or any of the other names
attributed to the Christian devil. Pagans and Wiccans aren't

a good idea to familiarize yourself with some of the
concepts. Learn more about the rules of magic before you

devil worshippers, Satanists, or Diabolists. Learn more
about how Pagans and Wiccans feel about such an entity.

continue your studies.

7. Join a Coven, or Practice Solitary?

2. Not All Witches are Pagans are Wiccans There are dozens
of Pagan traditions, and as many different versions of

Many Wiccans and Pagans choose to join a coven or study
group because it allows them the chance to learn from

Wicca. Not all are the same, and just because someone is a
witch or Pagan doesn't necessarily mean they practice Wicca.

like-minded people. It's an opportunity to share ideas and
get new perspectives on any number of things. However, for

Learn about the differences in paths found among the
umbrella term "Paganism."

some folks it's just more practical or desirable to remain
as a solitary practitioner. If you're considering joining a

3. Wicca is a Religion, Not a Fashion Statement Contrary to

coven, you'll want to read these tips.

what many popular movies might have you believe, you don't
have to be a teenage goth princess to be Wiccan. In fact,

8. Parents and Teens Nothing will set a teenager at odds
with a parent quite like coming into the house wearing a

you don't "have to be" anything at all. Wiccans come from
all walks of life -- they are parents and teens, lawyers,

giant pentacle, toting a candle, and yelling, "I'm a witch
now, leave me alone!" Fortunately, it doesn't have to be

nurses, firefighters, waitresses, teachers and writers.
Pagans come from all different walks of life, all

that way. Parents, you may have some concerns about Wicca
and Paganism... and teens, you probably aren't sure how to

socio-economic groups, and all sorts of racial backgrounds.
There's no Pagan Dress Code that says you have to toss away

talk to mom and dad about your newfound interest. Rest easy,
though. With a little bit of good communication, both

your polo shirt or khakis in favor of capes and an all-black
wardrobe. On the other hand, if you prefer the goth look, go

parents and teenagers should be able to find a happy
medium.

for it... just remember that goth and Wiccan are not
synonymous.

9. You Don't Need a Lot of Fancy Tools Many people think

4. Religious Freedom Applies to Wiccans and Pagans Too

they need to stock up on hundreds of dollars worth of
incense, herbs, wands and candles before they can even begin

Believe it or not, as a Wiccan or Pagan you have the same
rights as people of any other religion. Despite the fact

to practice Wicca or Paganism. That's simply not the case.
While a few basic magical tools are nice to have, the key

that some members of other faiths might disapprove of the
existence of Wicca and Paganism, the fact is that if you

element of most traditions are the beliefs, not the
tangible, physical items. If you'd like to gather a very

live in the United States, you're entitled to protection
just like anyone else. It's against the law for anyone to

basic "starter kit" of tools, there are several which are
common to nearly every tradition.

discriminate against you because you practice an earth-based
faith. Learn about your rights as a Pagan or Wiccan parent,

10. You Can Write Your Own Spells and Rituals Despite a

as an employee, and even as a member of the United States
military.

commonly held (and generally Internet-based) belief, anyone
can write a spell. The trick is to recognize what the key

5. It's Okay to Be Out of the Broom Closet... or Not

elements are to successful spellcrafting -- intent or goal,
components, and putting it into practice are all key. Don't

Countless numbers of Pagans and Wiccans have made the choice
to "come out of the broom closet"... in other words, they've

let anyone tell you that beginners can't write a spell. Just
like any other skill set, it will take some practice, but

stopped hiding their spiritual path from others. For many
people, this is a huge decision. You may feel that it's not

with a little work you can become a perfectly effective
spellworker.